Ajax

Bayern Munich back on top as Kobel clanger triggers Dortmund meltdown | Stefan Bienkowski

03-Apr-2023 09:09:15 | The Guardian

Thomas Müller was instrumental as Bayern began the Thomas Tuchel era with a familiar swatting aside of supposed title rivals

Bayern Munich could not have hoped for a more emphatic return to form on Saturday. They welcomed apparent title rivals Borussia Dortmund to the Allianz Arena and quickly reverted back to their traditional role as Bundesliga champions-elect – perennial architects of doom for any domestic rival that dare question their authority.

It was fitting their new head coach, Thomas Tuchel, enjoyed a perfect start to life in Munich through the clinical finishing of Thomas Müller, whose back-post finish and instinctual rebound scored the second and third goals, after an opening howler from the Dortmund keeper, Gregor Kobel. Not only had Müller been marginalised by Tuchel’s predecessor, Julian Nagelsmann, but he was also one of a handful of senior figures within the Bayern squad who remained unconvinced by the young manager.