Blunder heralds Tuchel’s dream debut at Bayern, which knocks Dortmund out of No. 1 spot

It was the worst thing that could have happened to Gregor Kobel, at the worst possible time for his club Borussia Dortmund.

The goalkeeper wanted to gram away a ball coming from opponent Dayot Upamecano, but completely mowed it down. And so Bayern Munich virtually took over the lead in the Bundesliga, thanks to a goal from their own half that went around the world. At 4-2, Dortmund got off graciously, but lost the first spot.

So it became the best conceivable comeback for coach Thomas Tuchel in the Bundesliga, in the topper against his old club that had to be won to calm tempers in southern Germany again.

Because Julian Nagelsmann was sidelined without mercy, even though Bayern was still competing for the prizes on three fronts. But in the league there had been too much messing around in recent months, putting the 11th consecutive national title in serious danger.

But on the day Dortmund was defeated, RB Leipzig (0-3 against Mainz) and Freiburg (1-1 against Hertha) fumbled and things are looking a lot brighter for Bayern again in a few hours.

Dortmund had been unbeaten in the German league since November, but were well behind after only 23 minutes. After that 1-0 from Upamecano, Thomas Müller made it 2-0 (on a pass from Matthijs de Ligt) and 3-0.

Kingsley Coman made the fourth and then the best of the day was disallowed. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting controlled on the chest and gracefully worked inside, but was found to be offside.

Emre Can (penalty) and substitute Donyell Malen eased the pain for Dortmund, with goals that were otherwise of little value.