Bayern Munich vs BVB Dortmund Match Report: October 18, Bundesliga

October 20, 2025 By Johan Curtis No Comments 3 minutes

Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in a high‑intensity Klassiker on 18 October 2025, with Harry Kane and Michael Olise outgunning Julian Brandt’s late reply at the Allianz Arena.

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Match Information

Competition: Bundesliga 2025–26, Matchday 7
Date & day: Saturday, 18 October 2025
Kickoff time: 18:30 local (Munich) / 12:30 ET (approx)
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich (attendance: 75,000)
Final score: Bayern Munich 2–1 Borussia Dortmund
Bayern scorers: Harry Kane 22′, Michael Olise 79’
Dortmund scorer: Julian Brandt 84’
Yellow cards: Laimer (Bayern); Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini (BVB)

Starting Lineups

Bayern Munich (Starting XI)

Manuel Neuer; Sacha Boey, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Konrad Laimer; Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlović; Michael Olise, Luis Díaz, Harry Kane; Nicolas Jackson.

Subs: Goretzka for Jackson (61’), Bischof for Boey (84’), Min-jae for Pavlović (90’)

Borussia Dortmund (Starting XI)

Gregor Kobel; Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle; Pascal Groß, Marcel Sabitzer, Julian Ryerson, Daniel Svensson; Felix Nmecha; Karim Adeyemi; Serhou Guirassy.

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund – Team Stats (18 Oct 2025)

Match Stat	Bayern Munich	Borussia Dortmund
Ball possession	61%	39%
Expected goals (xG)	2.48	1.58
Big chances	3	2
Total shots	15	8
Goalkeeper saves	0	6
Corner kicks	4	3
Fouls	12	17
Passes	586	369
Tackles	11	18
Free kicks	17	12
Yellow cards	1	3

How The Game Unfolded

Bayern dominated the first half, repeatedly testing Gregor Kobel through Olise, Díaz and Kimmich before Kane rose to power in a header from a Kimmich corner on 22 minutes. Dortmund responded after the break with more aggressive pressing and better use of wide areas, but wasteful finishing from Guirassy and Nmecha kept Bayern ahead.

The turning point came when a mistake in Dortmund’s box allowed Díaz’s low cross to cause chaos, Jobe Bellingham stumbled, and Olise reacted quickest to force in the second goal on 79 minutes. Brandt then scored with his first touch from a Ryerson delivery on 84 minutes, setting up a frantic finish that Bayern managed with controlled possession and game management.

Tactical Themes And Key Battles

Bayern’s 4‑2‑3‑1 shape gave them numerical control in midfield, with Kimmich and Pavlović dictating tempo and repeatedly switching play into the half‑spaces where Olise and Díaz attacked Dortmund’s full‑backs. Dortmund leaned on vertical transitions and set pieces, but their front line lacked composure in key moments, especially during their best spell early in the second half.

Individually, Kane’s hold‑up play and duels created space for late runs from Olise and Laimer, while Ryerson and Schlotterbeck had to deal with constant overloads down Dortmund’s right. Tuchel’s use of Goretzka off the bench helped Bayern secure second balls and see the game out, whereas Dortmund’s attacking changes brought energy but also loosened their defensive structure.

Final Say: What It Means In The Title Race

The victory kept Bayern perfect after seven league games, moving them to 21 points and reinforcing their status as early Bundesliga favourites. Dortmund’s first defeat of the campaign left them playing catch‑up, highlighting once again their difficulty converting promising spells into results away in Munich.