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During the weekend fixtures turned into evening, the German champions demonstrated their present dominance as Big Bad Bayern, practically untouchable and stimulated into peak form by serious challengers, as demonstrated in the subsequent game at rising Eintracht Frankfurt.

German Bundesliga Showdown

Despite the fact that Dortmund's meeting with Leipzig carried the weight of a pivotal game in the beginning phase of the Bundesliga season, with second facing third, anticipations were relatively conservative in the German state.

Be it the head coach quoting his fellow former Bayern manager the Italian legend ("if victory isn't possible, avoid defeat," he reflected at match end) or his opposite number Ole Werner discussing his "progressing" side, it seemed that a level scoreline was appropriate, leaving each side moderately content, partially frustrated.

Historical Competition

Here we have a game that is significant, and has historically carried weight since their Bundesliga entry. These two clubs are chalk and cheese in outlook and what they feel they represent.

If the Bundesliga is familiar with Leipzig – rather than having totally welcomed the club conceptually – there is a unique intensity of animosity that awaits the visitors when they arrive at Dortmund's stadium.

Advertising Battles

Prior to the match prominent advertisements in urban Dortmund showed two portions of fries, one without toppings and one with ketchup and mayo (for the red and white of RB), annotated with the slogan "Just yellow won't bring happiness," with the wordplay of gelb rather than financial resources making light of the reputation of Leipzig as a commercial enterprise.

The notices were attributed "with sporting greetings, Die Roten Bullen." Following many seasons RB know they will never be considered as legitimate by large sections of league followers, so have opted to deliberately adopt the antagonist role; a similar advertising campaign was employed in the Bavarian capital ahead of their first away game there, humorously referencing "finally a simple club colors" arriving in the city after particular followers' objections about the title holders' new strip.

Fixture Key Moments

These two teams are targeting the similar objectives additionally fuels the rivalry, even if it is not the underlying reason. Bayern's early season fettle has only accentuated this perception, and observing the talented attacker exceed the English striker this weekend, with Serge Gnabry's resurgent form compensating for the ongoing unavailability of the young talent, this weekend has been an illustration of the actual situation of the current hierarchy.

RB opened impressively and took the hosts unaware with a rehearsed dead ball routine, finished by Christoph Baumgartner but orchestrated by dead-ball expert the set-piece specialist, released from his job with Dortmund's under-23s in recent months.

Looking a bit leggy from their continental fixtures the home side drew level through an visually impressive goal of their own, with the Brazilian defender completing the move and though "it could have gone either way" in his assessment, the draw appeared just.

After the Game Assessment

Was there a declaration ready to be delivered here, there was no team strong enough to fully deliver it. Their defender spoke of his side's development under their coach, arguing that his side had demonstrated resilience and "shown character, which we lacked somewhat last year," but it all seemed like small improvements in the positive trajectory as opposed to issuing any challenge.

"We rank among the top sides in the league," Baku continued and there is little disputing that currently, but there is also the feeling that it won't quite be enough this year in terms of mounting a serious challenge at the top.

Tactical Questions

This match maybe highlighted exactly why Dortmund have progressed under the coaching of the head coach, but also why there may be absolute limits to what they can achieve with him at the wheel. They rode out their weariness and Leipzig's strong spells and, in the final minutes of the game, hinted that they could be prepared to advance and secure victory, notably through the strategic substitutions of their new signing and the young talent.

However, was the confidence to turn increased tempo into a victory, or merely optimism that it would? Kovac's Dortmund can be formidable, but there is a doubt over whether they can really be winners. As their shot-stopper indicated, the visit to Munich after the fixture hiatus will tell us plenty.

Wider Context

If Dortmund or RB should be winners is a separate issue. Following numerous seasons of various challenges, possibly the hosts require a season of steady performance, of controlling a process of gradual improvement; the latter aim also being that of Leipzig.

Regarding these sides that regard themselves as polar opposites, they spent this weekend doing a very good impression of sharing comparable situations.

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