Dominant Bayern along with brilliant Díaz serve up a stark message to Bundesliga's challengers.

When Saturday's action became evening, the German champions displayed their present dominance as the unstoppable force, practically invincible and provoked into peak form by serious challengers, as evidenced in the subsequent game at emerging Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bundesliga Clash

Even if Borussia Dortmund's encounter with Red Bull Leipzig had the stature of a crucial encounter in the beginning phase of the German league campaign, with second facing third, predictions were relatively conservative in the region.

Either the head coach referencing his fellow former Bayern manager the Italian legend ("if victory isn't possible, you shouldn't lose," he commented at full-time) or his opposite number the visiting manager discussing his "evolving" side, it appeared as though a 1-1 draw was appropriate, leaving both parties partially sated, partially frustrated.

Traditional Rivalry

This represents a game that matters, and has historically carried weight since their Bundesliga entry. These respective teams are completely different in approach and what they consider their identity.

Although the top division is familiar with Leipzig – rather than having fully accepted the club ideologically – there is a special level of opposition that meets RB when they arrive at Dortmund's stadium.

Advertising Wars

The day before prominent advertisements in Dortmund city centre displayed two portions of fries, basic fries and one with tomato and mayonnaise (for the red and white of RB), annotated with the legend "Just yellow won't bring happiness," with the pun of gelb rather than financial resources making light of the perception of Leipzig as a purely corporate project.

The advertisements were attributed "best sporting regards, their nickname." After all these years RB know they will never be considered as legitimate by significant portions of league followers, so have taken the decision to knowingly embrace the antagonist role; a similar advertising campaign was employed in Munich ahead of their season opener there, joking of "at last a straightforward red and white jersey" being in town after some Bayern fans' complaints about the reigning champions' current uniform.

Matchday Key Moments

These two teams are targeting the similar objectives additionally fuels the needle, despite it is not the motivation behind it. Munich's impressive form has additionally highlighted this sentiment, and seeing Luis Díaz outshine even Harry Kane this weekend, with his comeback displays compensating for the continued absence of Jamal Musiala, this weekend has been a demonstration of the true picture of each team's standing.

The visitors began strongly and took the hosts unaware with a rehearsed dead ball routine, finished by the Austrian midfielder but created by set-piece coach their tactical coach, dismissed from his position at Dortmund's reserve side in recent months.

Appearing somewhat tired from their midweek Champions League exertions the home side equalised through an visually impressive goal of their own, with the Brazilian defender putting the finishing touch and though "victory was possible for either" in the scorer's opinion, the tie felt about right.

After the Game Assessment

Had there been a statement ready to be delivered here, there was nobody with a loud enough voice to quite make it. The Leipzig player discussed his team's progress under their coach, stating that his side had demonstrated resilience and "played like real men, an area needing improvement to some extent last year," but it all felt like little steps in the correct path rather than making any bold statements.

"We rank among the top sides in the league," the player stated and there is little disputing that at present, but there is also the impression that it may not suffice this year in terms of producing a real contest at the top.

Coaching Considerations

This encounter possibly demonstrated precisely how the hosts have developed under the guidance of their manager, but also why there may be clear ceilings to what they can accomplish with him at the wheel. They survived their fatigue and Leipzig's strong spells and, in the final minutes of the game, indicated that they could be prepared to advance and win the game, especially thanks to the strategic substitutions of the experienced midfielder and Jobe Bellingham.

However, was the confidence to make an increase a tempo into a win, or merely optimism that it would? This version of BVB can be difficult opponents, but there is a question over whether they can really be winners. As the Swiss international suggested, the visit to Munich after the national team pause will provide many answers.

League Overview

If Dortmund or the visitors should be winners is a different question. Post multiple campaigns of various challenges, perhaps Dortmund need a campaign of consistent results, of overseeing progress of steady growth; the ultimate goal also being that of Leipzig.

Regarding these sides that regard themselves as total opposites, they used this matchday giving a perfect example of being in the same boat.

League Table