Bayern Munich taught us a lesson, admits Dortmund boss Favre

Borussia Dortmund head coach Lucien Favre has conceded Bayern Munich dished out a stern lesson to his team after they capitulated at the Allianz Arena.

The Ruhr district giants were comprehensively beaten 5-0 by the Bavarians on Saturday evening, which saw Niko Kovac’s side climb back to the top of the Bundesliga table by a single point.

How is the Bundesliga title race looking? Five key things to know…

1. At one stage Dortmund were nine points clear of Bayern and seemingly destined to win the title.
2. In the past few months Bayern have been able to cut the deficit and now look favourites to retain their title.
3. Before the match at the Allianz Arena, Dortmund were two points ahead of Bayern.
4. But victory has ensured the Bavarians now sit top of the league by one point with six matches remaining.
5. Bayern are aiming to win their seventh successive title.

It has been one of the most tightly contested Bundesliga title races for years, but Bayern are now in the ascendancy to retain the trophy with just six matches remaining.

Kovac masterminded victory in Der Klassiker, courtesy of a Robert Lewandowski brace as well as goals from Mats Hummels, Javi Martinez and Serge Gnabry.

The match was a true test of Dortmund’s mettle and resolve but Favre believes his side were far too focused on actually winning the title, meaning their focus detracted from proceedings in Bavaria.

After the match, he told reporters: “The 5-0 is difficult to understand but it is well-deserved. Congratulations to my colleague.

“You clearly have to say that this was a lesson for us. We had the chance to score the first goal which could have changed the game.

“Bayern kept dominating the game with more speed and better movements. They played on a higher level. It was a lesson and after 4-0 it’s tough to come back in the second half.

“We have to focus on the next game. Today we were probably too concentrated and we were thinking too much about the title.”

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Dortmund’s run-in

All is not lost for Dortmund with six games remaining; Bayern have looked somewhat tentative during parts of this season, in what is Kovac’s maiden campaign at the helm and they may yet slip up.

For Die Borussen they still have to play Mainz, Freiburg, Schalke, Werder Bremen, Fortuna and Monchengladbach, but Favre has revealed his side are relishing the fight.

He added: “We are still facing six difficult games, it was always tight until now, also the last game against Wolfsburg or in Berlin. We have to focus on the next game, we cannot change it now.

“We have to give our best but only think about the next game. And don’t think about constellations.”