Title race wide open amid Bayern injuries and new-found Dortmund steel

Borussia Dortmund battling back for a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich has spurred hope among their fans and many neutrals that this season's Bundesliga title race will be more memorable than the last.

Bayern finished 16 points ahead of their main rivals as they sauntered to the championship last term. But their sudden raft of injuries and a more disciplined Dortmund under Niko Kovač suggest this campaign's title battle may be much closer.

Substitute Fabio Silva grabbed Dortmund a point in the 89th minute on Saturday, meaning the big duo are locked on 18 points at the top of the table after eight games. Bayern are only top courtesy of their healthy goal difference. 

Home forwards Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry and Ismael Saibari all limped off the Allianz Arena turf on Saturday, with Morocco's Saibari looking particularly hurt with an ankle issue.

“To be honest what's happening to us does feel a little heavy,” Bayern head of sport Max Eberl told reporters, referring to the injuries, coach Vincent Kompany's illness and Joshua Kimmich missing games due to the death of his father.  

"Right now we have to be very resilient."

Bayern head to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday and it seems unlikely Kompany will be back as he continues to recuperate from meningeal irritation. He has missed three games so far and assistant Aaron Danks is set to deputize again.

Midfield general Kimmich was back against Dortmund but Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala and Luis Diaz were unavailable. Now Gnabry and Saibari could miss significant time, with Bayern's squad already stretched.

"Both injuries are quite big," Eberl added without a full diagnosis. There was no word on wing wizard Olise.

Plug the gaps

Teenager Lennart Karl, criticized by club bosses in recent weeks amid a slump in form, will be expected to step up and help plug the gaps.

Harry Kane, fresh from receiving the Ballon d'Or on Monday, was unusually wasteful against Dortmund and struck the bar with a penalty. 

While Bayern battle injuries, Dortmund have found a rare consistency this term having been labelled flaky by fans and pundits alike for years.

“Of course, points in Munich aren’t a given - quite the opposite. So now we have one more point than we did last season,” ex-Bayern coach Kovač smirked, aware Dortmund lost both games against the Bavarians in 2025-26.

“The team believed in themselves from the first minute to the last, fought hard, gave their all, and kept coming back even after falling behind twice. That shows the mentality the team has, as well as their strength and energy."

Konrad Laimer's opener for Bayern was cancelled out by Serhou Guirassy's second-half strike before Silva repeated the trick after Dayot Upamecano thought he had won it for the hosts. 

Black and Yellows captain Nico Schlotterbeck added: “We were confident. We had respect for our opponents, but no awe.

"Things are getting better. We’re in a good position across the board. Now we have to keep it up.”

Dortmund host Real Betis in the Champions League on Wednesday before welcoming promoted Elversberg in the Bundesliga next Saturday. Double winners Bayern have a tricky trip to Mainz that day.