Banged-up Borussia Dortmund had no chance against sharp Bayern Munich, as they were sent packing 4-1 with the league leaders putting down a marker ahead of the Champions League.
Positives
Dortmund started the match brightly but were unlucky that the hosts used their chances well. With the match being decided shortly after half-time, both teams could save some energy. Otherwise, not many positive things to take away from the match. Hoffenheim losing 2-1 away to Hamburg earlier on Saturday afternoon means the Black and Yellows stay just one point behind third place.
Negatives
Without Marco Reus, Julian Weigl, Mario Gotze, Andre Schurrle, and Erik Durm there wasn't much coherence in this Dortmund team that couldn't stop Bayern defensively nor had enough composure to severely trouble Sven Ulreich. BVB's left side looked especially suspect as Arjen Robben had more freedom than ever when facing Dortmund.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- "If we had four injury-free weeks then we would be on a level with Bayern," Thomas Tuchel mused on Friday's pre-match news conference. Instead, he had four days and seven injured players.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Roman Burki, 5 -- Left alone by his teammates, without much chance to save any of Bayern's goals. Was lucky to remain on the pitch after bringing down Lewandowski in the box after 67 minutes.
DF Felix Passlack, 4 -- After hardly even making the squad, Passlack played in the Revierderby against Schalke and again against Bayern within eight days. Not as dominant against Franck Ribery as he was in the Super cup.
DF Matthias Ginter, 5 -- Without harsh errors against Bayern, which was a step forward compared to recent games.
DF Sokratis Papastathopoulos, 5 -- Returned from a one-game suspension but Robben and Co. were too quick for the Greek this time.
DF Marc Bartra, 3 -- Picked up his fifth booking and will be suspended against Eintracht Frankfurt. He left his backline exposed, needlessly trying to win a header in midfield and moments later Robben sealed the deal for Bayern.
DF Marcel Schmelzer, 4 -- Seldomly so out of his depth as he was on Saturday. Dortmund's captain was not fully fit and was terribly left alone by his teammates. Thus, it was a field day for Arjen Robben.
MF Gonzalo Castro, 5 -- Substituted at half-time, too often second winner against Arturo Vidal and Thiago Alcantara in midfield.
MF Raphael Guerreiro, 5 -- Of all five goals, his bullet that hit the top left corner was the most beautiful. Otherwise, Guerreiro too often ran head first into a wall, also not giving BVB the necessary structure in midfield.
MF Ousmane Dembele, 3 -- It was probably the best idea to sub Dembele off around the hour mark, as he had a complete off-day, frequently let down by his decision making. To add insult to injury, the 19-year-old ducked away from Robert Lewandowski's freevkick which would have otherwise been blocked by the Frenchman. Awkward.
MF Christian Pulisic, 4 -- Not much of a factor in the first half, defensively not effective enough to shut his wing down. His great solo-run deep into garbage time was defused by Ulreich.
FW Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 4 -- Aubameyang fails to score against Ulreich on one end, moments later Lewandowski wins a penalty at the other. It summed up the evening for Aubameyang, who was leapfrogged by the Pole in the race for the top scorer's trophy.
Substitutes
MF Sebastian Rode, 5 -- After being sidelined due to injury for months, Rode replaced Castro. Won a few tackles in midfield but could not change Dortmund's game for the better.
MF Emre Mor, 4 -- No spark from Emre Mor in a very unthankful half-hour on the field.
MF Mikel Merino, 5 -- Brought on after 69 minutes for Guerreiro, as Tuchel tried to rest some players ahead of Monaco.