On May 12, 2012, Borussia Dortmund faced Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal Final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. In a stunning and dominant performance, Borussia Dortmund secured a 5-2 victory, completing a historic domestic double by adding the DFB-Pokal to their Bundesliga title.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Borussia Dortmund: 5 (Shinji Kagawa 3′, Mats Hummels 41′ (pen.), Robert Lewandowski 45′, 58′, 81′)
- Bayern Munich: 2 (Arjen Robben 25′ (pen.), Franck Ribéry 75′)
- Possession:
- Bayern Munich had 61% possession, while Borussia Dortmund had 39%. Despite Bayern’s dominance in possession, Dortmund’s lethal counter-attacking and clinical finishing were the deciding factors in the match.
- Shots:
- Borussia Dortmund registered 14 shots, with 10 on target, showcasing their efficiency in front of goal. Bayern Munich managed 20 shots, with 8 on target, but they were less clinical and struggled to break down Dortmund’s resolute defense.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Bayern Munich had a passing accuracy of 87%, completing 556 passes out of 640 attempts. Borussia Dortmund had a passing accuracy of 75%, completing 263 passes out of 351 attempts. Dortmund’s lower possession and passing accuracy were offset by their direct and effective attacking play.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Borussia Dortmund made 19 tackles compared to Bayern Munich’s 12, reflecting Dortmund’s commitment to disrupting Bayern’s rhythm and regaining possession quickly. Dortmund’s defense, led by Mats Hummels and Neven Subotić, was solid despite conceding twice.
- Set Pieces:
- Borussia Dortmund’s first goal came early in the 3rd minute when Shinji Kagawa finished from close range after a quick break. Mats Hummels doubled the lead in the 41st minute from the penalty spot after Roman Weidenfeller fouled Mario Gómez in the box, though the referee awarded the penalty after considering a foul by Jerome Boateng on Robert Lewandowski. Bayern pulled one back through an Arjen Robben penalty in the 25th minute. Robert Lewandowski then took center stage, scoring a hat-trick with goals in the 45th, 58th, and 81st minutes, sealing a famous victory for Dortmund. Franck Ribéry scored a consolation goal for Bayern in the 75th minute.
- Individual Performances:
- Robert Lewandowski was the standout performer for Borussia Dortmund, scoring a hat-trick and playing a crucial role in leading the attack. Shinji Kagawa also had an excellent game, opening the scoring and contributing significantly to Dortmund’s offensive play. Mats Hummels was solid in defense and calm under pressure, converting his penalty to give Dortmund a crucial lead. For Bayern Munich, Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben were their most dangerous players, but they were unable to prevent the heavy defeat.
- Tactical Overview:
- Borussia Dortmund, under Jürgen Klopp, employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on high pressing, quick transitions, and exploiting the spaces behind Bayern’s defense. Bayern Munich, managed by Jupp Heynckes, also used a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing ball control and attacking through the wings. However, Dortmund’s tactics were more effective, as they overwhelmed Bayern with their intensity and clinical finishing.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw five yellow cards, three for Bayern Munich (Anatoliy Tymoshchuk 29′, Jérôme Boateng 41′, Mario Gómez 57′) and two for Borussia Dortmund (Mats Hummels 34′, Lukasz Piszczek 59′). The fouls were tactical, aimed at breaking up play and preventing further chances.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Bayern Munich won 10 corners compared to Borussia Dortmund’s 1, reflecting their territorial advantage. However, Dortmund’s ability to capitalize on their chances from open play was decisive. Dortmund were caught offside once, while Bayern were caught offside four times, indicating their attempts to push forward and create scoring opportunities.
Summary
Borussia Dortmund’s 5-2 victory over Bayern Munich in the 2012 DFB-Pokal Final was a remarkable display of attacking football, as they dismantled their rivals to complete a historic domestic double. Despite Bayern Munich’s dominance in possession and territory, Dortmund’s efficiency on the counter-attack and their clinical finishing, particularly from Robert Lewandowski, proved decisive.
Lewandowski’s hat-trick and goals from Shinji Kagawa and Mats Hummels highlighted Dortmund’s superiority on the day, as they outclassed a Bayern side that struggled to cope with Dortmund’s intensity and pressing. This victory not only secured Dortmund’s first DFB-Pokal title under Jürgen Klopp but also reinforced their status as the dominant force in German football at the time.
For Bayern Munich, the defeat was a bitter blow, especially considering they had already finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga to Dortmund and would go on to lose the UEFA Champions League final to Chelsea a week later. The result highlighted some vulnerabilities in Bayern’s defense, which Dortmund exploited ruthlessly.
The 2012 DFB-Pokal Final remains one of the most memorable matches in Borussia Dortmund’s history, a testament to Jürgen Klopp’s tactical acumen and the team’s ability to perform on the big stage.
