Bundesliga Match Facts Analysis: How Bayern beat Dortmund

Average Position: Trends, Attacking Zones and Most Pressed Player - the newest Bundesliga Match Facts powered by AWS - form the crux of the analysis.

Dortmund opt for flexibility

Dortmund made a handful of changes to the side that beat promoted Arminia Bielefeld 3-0 on Matchday 23. With Jadon Sancho, Raphael Guerreiro and Gio Reyna out injured, right-back Thomas Meunier made his first Bundesliga start since 19 January; defender Dan-Axel Zagadou was back in the starting line-up for the first time since 16 January; left-back Nico Schulz earned his first start since 5 December; while attacking midfielder Thorgan Hazard last began a Bundesliga game on 31 October.

Watch: Highlights of Bayern's sensational comeback win over Dortmund in Der Klassiker

For interim coach Edin Terzic, tactical flexibility was a must if BVB were to withstand Bayern's suffocating attacks, and that meant sacrificing midfielder Jude Bellingham for imposing defender Zagadou. "We have to be equipped for each phase of the game," Terzic explained prior to the contest. Die Schwarzgelben duly began with a compact three-man backline, which they maintained after Erling Haaland put them 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes.

As illustrated by Average Position: Trends, Bayern - by contrast - adopted their customary 4-2-3-1 formation. The backline was stationed almost at the halfway line, while central striker Robert Lewandowski regularly dropped back into midfield. His first of three goals is a case in point. The Poland captain instigated the move from a wide-right position, before moving inside to apply the finishing touch to Leroy Sane's low cross-shot.

Terzic switches system

Terzic was not happy with the way his team were allowing themselves to be increasingly hemmed in by Bayern in the ensuing phase. So he changed his system around the 35 minute mark. Emre Can moved from defence into midfield as BVB switched to a four-man defence. Initially, it looked like Dortmund would break free of Bayern's grasp, but then Mahmoud Dahoud caught Kinglsey Coman in the box. Lewandowski converted from the penalty spot in the 44th minute to send the teams in level at half-time.

After the restart, Dortmund reverted to their starting system, with Can part of a back three. However, Terzic's side pressed much harder than in the second period of the first half, and didn't allow themselves to be pushed so far back into their own half. Centre forward Haaland - replaced by another rangy left-footer in Steffen Tigges on the hour - occupied a much deeper position inside the Bayern half. Until the closing stages, Dortmund appeared to be on course for a point - but then came late goals from Leon Goretzka (89') and Lewandowski (90').

Attacking Zones: Bayern overload the left-hand side

Dortmund were at their best between the first and 30th minute, but failed to lay a glove on Bayern for the remainder. In the early stages, BVB showed real variety in their attacking zones, with their quick switches from one side to the other exposing gaps in the Bayern defence time and again.

Unlike Die Schwarzgelben, who displayed no real preference when on the attack, Bayern heavily favoured the left-hand side. In the first half, 49 percent of their attacks came down the left, with a further 24 percent via the left-hand half space. In contrast, 20 percent were played out on the right, including Lewandowski's first effort for 2-1. Attacks using the right-hand half space totalled six percent.

Even though the ratios were a little more balanced in the second half, the left-hand side remained Bayern's preferred attacking zone, accounting for 44 percent of their forward forays. The move that ended in Lewandowski completing his hat-trick in the 90th minute started on the left.

Watch: How does Robert Lewandowski score his goals?

Most Pressed Player: Thomas Müller marginally ahead of Kingsley Coman

With Bayern focusing the majority of their attacks down the left, it was no surprise that left winger Coman was, for long periods, the Most Pressed Player - that is, the player who was most often subjected to significant pressure when in possession. BVB pressed him 30 times in the first half alone, and it's no coincidence that he was the man brought down for the penalty which Lewandowski put away for 2-2. When Coman was substituted in the 66th minute, he'd been pressed 47 times.

Only Thomas Müller faced more opposition presses (48). Mr. Bayern threw everything at Dortmund, particularly in the closing stages. He also won more challenges than any other player on the pitch (16). And while he did no have a direct hand in any of Bayern's four goals, the Bundesliga Match Facts highlight the extent of his contribution to a famous win.