Initially, there was not enough strength for exuberant celebrations. Completely exhausted, but overjoyed, most of the Dortmund pros sank onto the pitch after the final whistle.

It was only minutes after the furious show of strength in the top Bundesliga duel with RB Leipzig that the series winners celebrated in front of the trembling south stand for the flattering 2-1 (2-0) win in the end. "We defend ourselves more and are ready to suffer. The team has taken the next step in its development," enthused sporting director Sebastian Kehl after winning the tenth competitive game in a row.

Even the at least short-term jump to the top of the table did not tempt anyone at BVB to declare war on Bayern, who can overtake VfB Stuttgart again on Saturday thanks to the better goal difference. Nevertheless, thanks to the goals of Marco Reus (21st minute / penalty kick) and Emre Can (39th), the team of coach Edin Terzic goes with plenty of tailwind into the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League on Tuesday at Chelsea and into the national title fight the record champions from Munich: "We have now won the tenth win in a row. That gives a lot of strength and conviction," commented Kehl.

BVB continues to put Bayern under pressure

With the success over the dominant Saxons in the second half, Borussia not only put Bayern under pressure, but also increased the gap to pursuers Leipzig to seven points. "I don't want to arouse too much euphoria, but I remember that we were only sixth before the winter break. We like to take the flow with us, but none of us goes crazy," said Captain Reus. As in Hoffenheim a week ago (1-0), according to the national player, there was a lot of stupidity involved in the final phase to save the victory over time: "We're currently working on our luck. But we shouldn't overstrain it. "

Unlike Dortmund, Leipzig did not reward themselves for their big fight. That spoiled the mood of coach Marco Rose when he returned to his old place of work for the first time. "With the performance, it's hard to accept that we lose a game like that. The second half was more than clear to us," said the football teacher. He mourned the missed opportunity to get within a point of Dortmund: "The fact is that for the first time we're looking at everything a little further from behind. Seven points - that's quite a bit. We can't lie to our pockets now. "