Borussia Dortmund 1-3 Bayern Munich: Key Talking Points

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Borussia Dortmund have work to do. But there are several encouraging signs as well (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /

Final thoughts

It is hard to look at the result of this year’s Supercup and not feel disappointed. As with any occasion to play Bayern, the potential for a Borussia Dortmund win is often seen as an opportunity to throw down the gauntlet for what is to come, and a chance to show that the squad can compete with their title rivals, because that’s what we all want; a real competition, a real title race. BVB’s performance was far from perfect, and I think most will acknowledge that.

That being said, it is one thing for us to be critical in a constructive matter, and another to absolutely ignore both the very evident improvements to Borussia Dortmund’s game, as well as the condition of the starting XI due to both COVID-19 and injuries.

This was a defensively depleted side fielding only one of four starters in the back line. We must also remember the fact that a number of the players are still working their way towards full fitness. The expectation that this sort of defense could keep the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller out is fanciful thinking at best.

We can also sit here and point the finger at Akanji, who was responsible for Lewandowski’s second goal, and ignore the fact that over the course of the last six months he has been one of Borussia Dortmund’s strongest performers. Up to that point in the game, he was doing an excellent job in defense, especially considering the circumstances.

The point of this analysis isn’t to spin an apologist narrative for the squad, but to add some additional context behind why the result was what it was, and to try to see it more as a wake up call that some additional investment may be necessary despite players coming closer to returning from their injuries.

Next. Borussia Dortmund player ratings from 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich. dark

This game is a visage of what results may look like should positional depth and competition remain unaddressed, and should injuries reoccur. It is better for this to happen early than say in a critical game down the line that may have a substantial impact on important silverware and seasonal targets this year. The campaign has just begun, and the team has every opportunity to prove that it can be a true competitor in the games to come.