Bayern Munich were held to a 2-2 draw by Borussia Dortmund in a Bundesliga top-of-the-table clash on Saturday. The German record champions took the lead twice but were pegged back each time by their rivals. This result extends a patchy run of form, with the team managing just one win, two draws, and two defeats in their last five competitive matches.
Konrad Laimer opened the scoring with a long-range effort. After half-time, Harry Kane had a chance from the penalty spot, but his effort was saved by Kobel. Dortmund capitalised, with Serhou Guirassy equalising. Dayot Upamecano restored Bayern's lead shortly after, heading in from a corner. In the dying moments, a substitute struck Dortmund's second equaliser.
The statistics reflected Bayern's dominance. However, only a few shots were on target. Kompany's side remain top of the table with this point, but their recent form shows just one win from the last several matches. That's a concern ahead of a key Champions League trip.
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac said post-match that the German record champions only managed a draw despite taking the lead twice.
Attention now turns fully to Europe. On Tuesday, Bayern travel to face Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. A positive result there is vital for the group stage. A top scorer this season will need to be central to their plans. Michael Olise, the team's leading scorer with six goals in seven appearances this campaign, will be key. The team will aim to replicate recent results like the 6-1 win over 1. FC Magdeburg or the 3-1 victory at SC Freiburg, rather than the draws against Arsenal and Viking. The team flies out on Monday.
Following the 2-2 draw against Dortmund on October 31st, there are new injury concerns. Sporting director Max Eberl said of Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry: "Both injuries are a bit more serious." Saibari left the stadium on crutches. Michael Olise also limped after the match. Eberl hopes it's not too bad for Olise. Bayern hope for good news ahead of their next fixture.
The injury diagnoses following the 2-2 draw with Dortmund are in. FC Bayern confirmed a syndesmosis tear for Ismael Saibari. The new signing is out for at least three months. Serge Gnabry will miss four to six weeks with a muscle fibre tear. This means four attacking players are now injured. Sporting director Max Eberl, however, sees no need for action in the winter transfer window. He said, "Lucho is coming back, Jamal is coming back. It's not like five players are out for half a year." The squad now travels to the Champions League match at Atlético Madrid with a thin squad.
FC Bayern confirmed the injury diagnoses. Ismael Saibari suffered a syndesmosis tear and has already been operated on. Serge Gnabry has a muscle injury in his thigh. The club stated both players will be out for the time being. Sporting director Max Eberl said of the many absences: "Honestly, it feels a bit intense." The team travels with this thin squad to their next match. That is the away Champions League fixture at Atlético Madrid on 3 November.
Joshua Kimmich spoke visibly moved about his father's death following the 2-2 draw with Dortmund. The captain said, "He was my biggest fan and critic." The club confirmed this. The squad now travels to the next match carrying this emotional burden alongside the known injury concerns.
