James Rodriguez stars as Bayern Munich rout Borussia Dortmund 6-0 in the Klassiker

xwhatsappmailcopy-link

James Rodriguez contributed a goal and two assists as Bayern Munich took another step towards their 27th Bundesliga title with a 6-0 thrashing of Klassiker rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern Munich 6-0 Borussia Dortmund

Goals: 1-0 Lewandowski (5'), 2-0 James Rodriguez (14'), 3-0 Müller (23'), 4-0 Lewandowski (44'), 5-0 Ribery (45'), 6-0 Lewandowski (87')

Schalke's win against Freiburg earlier on Saturday meant Bayern would under no circumstances win the Bundesliga title on Matchday 28, but Jupp Heynckes' men were nevertheless determined to put on a show. It took five minutes before the crowd were on their feet for the first time, Robert Lewandowski latching onto Thomas Müller's through-ball and lifting his finish over the onrushing Roman Bürki. Floodgates duly opened, James was next in on the act, arriving late into the box to poke home David Alaba's low left-wing cross.

- © gettyimages / Stuart Franklin/Bongarts

Having reiterated where the balance of power in German football lies during a rampant first-half display, Bayern held Dortmund at arm's length in the second period. The visitors were limited to one real shot in anger – former Bayern man Mario Götze rattling the post from the edge of the box in the 67th minute – although that came after James could have added to the lead. Both sides rang the changes in the closing stages, but the only alteration of note was Lewandowski adding to the scoreline and completing his hat-trick – while Bayern's formal coronation as Bundesliga champions has been delayed at least a week, this Klassiker victory will make the wait seem that bit shorter.

Man of the Match

Dropping deeper than usual in midfield alongside Javi Martinez, James was masterful. The Colombian scored the second, created the third thanks to an excellent press, and then teed up Ribery for the fifth, and all before the break. Little wonder the 26-year-old this week again professed how happy he was in Bavaria – with virtuoso performances in a juggernaut such as this, why wouldn't he be?

Watch: The James show against Dortmund

Match stats

    Lewandowski has scored 10 Bundesliga goals in eight games against his former club.The Pole's opening goal – timed in the fifth minute – was Bayern's quickest this season.The Bavarians' line-up was their oldest of the season, with an average age of exactly 30.Bayern led 5-0 at the break – their highest half-time lead since a 9-2 win against Hamburg on 30 March 2013 (also 5-0 at the interval).Müller's goal was his 103rd in the Bundesliga for Bayern; he is now joint-fourth in the club's all-time scoring list, joined by Lewandowski.This was Peter Stöger's first defeat as Dortmund coach (previously: W7 D5).

Line-ups

Bayern: Ulreich - Rafinha, Boateng, Hummels, Alaba (Kimmich 46') - Martinez – Müller (c), James (Thiago 66'), Robben, Ribery (Rudy 69') - Lewandowski
Unused subs: Starke, Wagner, Süle, Tolisso
Absentees: Neuer (light training), Coman (ankle), Vidal (bruised thigh), Bernat (joint capsule tear)
Coach: Jupp Heynckes

Dortmund: Bürki – Piszczek, Akanji, Sokratis, Schmelzer (c) – Dahoud, Götze (Sahin 78'), Castro (Weigl 29') – Pulisic (Philipp 75'), Batshuayi, Schürrle
Unused subs: Weidenfeller, Isak, Toljan, Gomez
Absentees: Toprak (muscular), Zagadou (muscular), Kagawa (ankle), Reus (adductor), Rode (pelvis), Yarmolenko (foot)
Coach: Peter Stöger

Watch: James eyeing Champions League success after impressive win

As it happened

Click here for the Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund Match Centre!