Klassiker ends level as Bayern misses big chance
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund each scored twice in a rollercoaster second half as Der Klassiker finished 2-2, Bayern missing the chance to put some distance between itself and second-placed Bayer Leverkusen as a result.
Vincent Kompany's team went into the clash knowing a victory would take it eight points clear at the top, after Bayer Leverkusen's 0-0 draw with Union Berlin.
But the hosts ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils against Niko Kovac's team at Allianz Arena.
Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was kept busy in the first half, twice denying Harry Kane and also blocking Michael Olise's point-blank effort in the 40th minute.
After failing to have an effort on target before the break, Dortmund went ahead against the run of play early in the second half when Maximilian Beier was left unmarked at the far post to head in the opener.
Bayern reacted almost instantly, pouring forward as the pace picked up, and almost equalised when Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton's clearance flew over Kobel and bounced off the crossbar.
It took just four minutes for Bayern to turn things around, though, with Raphael Guerreiro levelling in the 65th with a low shot before fellow substitute Serge Gnabry put them in front with a sensational solo effort.
Dortmund, desperately hoping for a top-four finish to secure UEFA Champions League football next season, bounced back with Anton slotting home on the rebound in the 75th minute after Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig palmed Serhou Guirassy's bicycle kick into his path.
The visitors' hopes in the UEFA Champions League appear to be all but over after a 4-0 first-leg loss to Barcelona, but it sits eighth in the Bundesliga, six points off the top four.
Bayern, meanwhile, will now turn its focus to overturning Inter Milan's 2-1 lead in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany wanted to see more control from his team and he was not impressed with how his team relinquished control after Dortmund's opener.
"Until the first goal, we created chances, and the game was more or less positive for us," Kompany said.
"After the first goal it became a cup game. I would buy a ticket to watch a game like this, but as a coach, you want a little bit more control.
"But we wanted to be six points ahead of Leverkusen at the end of the weekend, and we have that."
Dortmund is now unbeaten in three Bundesliga matches, and sit six points back from the UEFA Champions League qualification places.
It has picked up 13 points from its past seven Bundesliga games, while Bayern has 14.
"We achieved what we wanted: we wanted to be solid and defend well. In the first half, that was okay, but I wasn't satisfied with the football," Niko Kovac, who was going up against his former club, said.
"In the second half, we came out well and scored to make it 1-0. Then we saw a good game from both teams, with chances here and there. We are satisfied and hope to build on that in the upcoming games."
While Bayern heads to Inter still in with a chance of progressing to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, Dortmund's European hopes look bleak after last week's 4-0 loss to Barcelona.
"We have a tough game on Tuesday [Wednesday AEST]," Kovac said. "We know the situation. We want to win that game.
"[In the Bundesliga] I hope to continue this run [with two wins and a draw from the last three matches]," he said. "We still have points to earn."
