FC Bayern Munich secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the 114th Bundesliga Der Klassiker on matchday 24 at Signal Iduna Park, extending their lead to 11 points. Harry Kane scored twice, Joshua Kimmich netted the winner, while Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck and Daniel Svensson struck back amid injuries and controversies.
The tense Bundesliga clash saw Bayern overcome an early deficit despite first-half struggles, with second-half resilience proving decisive under coach Vincent Kompany. Bayern entered with momentum but faced resistance from a motivated Dortmund side led by Niko Kovac, who benched Ramy Bensebaini and Serhou Guirassy due to Ramadan fasting affecting their energy. Manuel Neuer was absent for Bayern with a calf muscle tear; Jonas Urbig deputized in goal.
Dortmund took the lead in the 26th minute when Schlotterbeck headed in a set-piece from Svensson, redeeming himself after a 17th-minute yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Josip Stanišić following a VAR review. The first half remained scrappy, with Bayern holding slight possession edge but hampered by fitness concerns for Michael Olise and Konrad Laimer. Dortmund captain Emre Can suffered a knee injury (possible ACL) near halftime and was substituted.
Bayern leveled at 1-1 in the 54th minute as Kane finished a header from Serge Gnabry off a Joshua Kimmich chip. They took the lead in the 69th minute from a penalty won by Stanišić against Schlotterbeck—Kane's 30th goal of the season, despite Gregor Kobel's effort. Dortmund equalized in the 83rd minute via Svensson's volley from Marcel Sabitzer's cross, exploiting mispositioning by Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah.
Bayern responded immediately: a loose clearance fell to Kimmich for a stunning left-footed volley in the 87th minute, securing the 3-2 win—their second over Dortmund this season. Jamal Musiala, back from injury since January 17 against RB Leipzig, substituted for 28 minutes but is still regaining form after 266 minutes in eight appearances.
Pre-match fan trouble saw Bayern supporters hold back chants after ~30 tried entering with irregular tickets, prompting police checks. Schlotterbeck lamented: “That was an all-in game for us. It's damn frustrating to lose here.” Tah added: “We knew it was an important game for us.” Dortmund's last home win over Bayern dates back over seven years, making the title race nearly decided.
