Dortmund set Mainz goal after Klassiker humbling
Munich - Borussia Dortmund found out the hard way that all good things must come to an end eventually in Sunday's Klassiker.
Die Schwarz-Gelben travelled to FC Bayern München's Allianz Arena unbeaten in 14 matches in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel, only to be, by their own admission, blown away in a chastening 5-1 defeat.
Mainz on the horizon
Despite the setback, Dortmund remain Bayern's closest pursuers in second, albeit seven points off the top after failing to win any of their last three league outings. It is now hoped the international break will provide the five-time Bundesliga champions with some brief but invaluable time to regroup before taking on Tuchel's old flame 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Matchday 9.
"We've slipped up of late," bemoaned Dortmund captain Mats Hummels. "We have to show that we can go on a good run again. We made a great start by winning our first 11 competitive games of the season and after going four on the spin without a win, the objective for the game in Mainz has to be to get back on track."