Drama in the Bundesliga: A Saturday that will go down in history

Ihen everything seems clear in football, this game still has a punch line ready. Borussia Dortmund was just one win away from ending FC Bayern’s ten-year reign and becoming German champions. Everything was prepared for a huge party, which did not take place. BVB failed on his nerves on a dramatic last match day.

And yet it was almost enough to win the title because Bayern stumbled at 1. FC Köln. But then Jamal Musiala scored in the 89th minute to make it 2-1 (1-0). BVB’s own goal in the 96th minute in the 2-2 (0-2) win against FSV Mainz was no longer enough. Bayern are champions because they have the better goal difference than Dortmund. Minutes of a day that will go down in Bundesliga history.

6.15 a.m.: More than nine hours before kick-off, the first fans arrive in front of the Dortmund stadium. You don’t want to miss anything this Saturday. With a two-point lead over Bayern, it’s clear that their team would crown the comeback race with the title if they won. In the event of a draw or a defeat, however, Bayern would be champions. But only if they win in turn.

10.00 a.m.: There is already a state of emergency in Dortmund. Tens of thousands flock to the stadium and into the city. If you don’t have a ticket for the game – BVB had received more than 300,000 inquiries – you have to queue in front of pubs and bars early in the morning to get a seat in front of the television.

2.30 p.m.: The lineups are there. At Dortmund the big question was whether the ailing Jew Bellingham would be fit in time. Coach Edin Terzic doesn’t take any risks. Although the Englishman is in the squad, he is on the bench. There is a surprise on the in Cologne. Bayern’s leading players Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala are taken out of the starting eleven by coach Thomas Tuchel. Instead, Ryan Gravenberch and Leroy Sané start.

2.45 p.m.: A strange incident occurs in the stadium. A whole colony of bees has made itself comfortable on a mobile sky spotlight in the interior. The fire brigade arrives and takes the insects outside. The last incident for Dortmund, who run onto the lawn to warm up a little later to thunderous applause?

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3:05 p.m.: Tuchel would like his team to score quickly: “We want to take the lead early and be ahead of Dortmund in the live table. That is the desired scenario.” Tuchel finds clear words for the idea of ​​being without a title in the end: “It pisses me off. You can’t say that on Saturday afternoon, but that’s the way it is.” In Dortmund Terzic said: “We’re in the mood for football and want to show our best performance of the season. We want to be champions today.”

3.30 p.m.: Kick-off in both stadiums.

3:38 p.m.: Tuchel’s wish comes true. Although Bayern are anything but superior in Cologne, their first good attack leads to the goal. Sané served Kingsley Coman on the left edge of the box. The Frenchman deceives briefly, puts the ball on his right foot and shoots it wonderfully and unstoppably into the right corner of the goal – 1:0 for Munich (9th), who are first again at this moment because of the better goal difference compared to BVB .

3.45 p.m.: The message from Cologne is having an effect. Dortmund started nervously against Mainz and actually conceded an early goal. Andreas Hanche-Olsen bangs his head into a corner from Edimilson Fernandes – 0: 1 (15th). Shock rigidity in Dortmund. And that should continue.

3:49 p.m.: After a foul by Dominik Kohr on Raphael Guerreiro, referee Marco Fritz decides on a penalty kick according to the TV pictures. The quick chance to equalize for BVB. But Sebastien Haller forgives, goalkeeper Finn Dahmen saves (19th).

3:54 p.m.: BVB, apparently overwhelmed by the size of the day, is now completely beside itself and also catches the next goal. Karim Onisiwo heads the 2-0 for Mainz (24th). There is pure horror in the stands, while in Cologne the top floor of FC Bayern looks at their cell phones in disbelief and laughs. Your team could already be 2-0 up, but Müller’s header hits the post (19′). Nevertheless: Cologne plays well and always seems good for a goal.

4:17 p.m.: Next act of drama. Sané scored the 2-0 for Bayern in Cologne, but the goal is withdrawn according to the video evidence because Sané previously played the ball with his hand in midfield. And Dortmund? It almost hurts to see this highly talented team failing on their own nerves. After all, the last minutes before the break give courage, in which Julian Brandt and Donyel Malen have two great chances, but miss them.

4:49 p.m.: BVB takes extreme risks and plays with fire. Mainz missed two huge chances to make it 3-0. First Jae-sung Lee fails clear in front of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (48th), then Onisiwo hits the crossbar (57th). In return, Haller just missed the connection (59th). All eyes are increasingly on Cologne – one goal from Cologne seems more likely than three from BVB. And indeed, Davie Selke has the great opportunity. But Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer scratched his header over the bar (60th).

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5 p.m.: Dortmund lives! After a pass from Gio Reyna, Guerreiro shoots from 14 meters to the left inside post, from where the ball tumbles into the goal – 1: 2 (69th). The stadium is boiling, Dortmund carry the ball in full sprint to the kick-off point. Meanwhile, the next curiosity is happening in Cologne. An attack by the hosts is interrupted as two automatic lawn sprinklers kick in, shooting fountains of water onto the lawn.

5:11 p.m.: Dortmund is – as of now – champion because Cologne scores against passive Bayern. Serge Gnabry jumps the ball in the penalty area and there are penalties. Dejan Ljubicic sinks in the bottom left and Bayern is a point behind again (81′). Seconds later, a cheer breaks out in Dortmund.

5:19 p.m.: It’s exactly eight minutes in which Borussia can feel like champions. Because in Cologne, a 20-year-old puts Bayern back in the lead. Substitute Musiala hits the right corner with a wonderful turning shot to make it 2-1 (89′). Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic dances for joy in the stands, and the first tears flow in Dortmund.

5:27 p.m.: The whistle has already blown in Cologne, Bayern are cheering and celebrating. But: Niclas Süle scores for BVB to 2: 2 (90 + 6). And indeed, the whistle starts again. Everything runs forward.

5:28 p.m.: final whistle From Dortmund’s point of view, it can hardly be harder. And from Bayern’s point of view, it can hardly be sweeter.