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As Saturday afternoon became evening, the Bavarian giants demonstrated their current form as the unstoppable force, almost unbeatable and stimulated into their top gear by proper competition, as evidenced in the subsequent game at emerging Eintracht Frankfurt.

Top German League Clash

Although BVB's meeting with Red Bull Leipzig was considered of a crucial encounter in the beginning phase of the Bundesliga season, with second facing third, anticipations were more modest in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Either Dortmund's manager quoting his fellow former Bayern manager Giovanni Trapattoni ("if victory isn't possible, avoid defeat," he reflected at match end) or his counterpart Ole Werner discussing his "still developing" side, it felt as if a level scoreline was appropriate, resulting in both teams somewhat satisfied, moderately annoyed.

Historical Tension

And this is a game that counts, and has historically carried weight since their Bundesliga entry. These respective teams are chalk and cheese in perspective and what they consider their identity.

Although the top division is by now used to Leipzig – as opposed to having totally welcomed the club ideologically – there is a unique intensity of hostility that greets Leipzig when they come to Dortmund's stadium.

Promotional Battles

Prior to the match prominent advertisements in Dortmund city centre showed two servings of fries, one without toppings and one with tomato and mayonnaise (for the club colors of RB), featuring the message "Yellow alone won't bring happiness," with the wordplay of gelb rather than financial resources poking fun at the image of Leipzig as a purely corporate project.

The advertisements were attributed "best sporting regards, The Red Bulls." Despite the passage of time RB accept they won't be regarded as genuine by significant portions of league followers, so have made the choice to deliberately adopt the antagonist role; a comparable marketing effort was employed in the Bavarian capital ahead of their opening day visit there, joking of "at last a straightforward red and white jersey" arriving in the city after some Bayern fans' complaints about the title holders' new strip.

Weekend Significant Events

These two teams are aiming at the comparable standards additionally fuels the rivalry, even if it is not the primary driver. Munich's impressive form has additionally highlighted this sentiment, and seeing Luis Díaz exceed the English striker this weekend, with his comeback displays making light of the ongoing unavailability of their creative midfielder, this weekend has been a demonstration of the actual situation of each team's standing.

RB opened impressively and surprised Dortmund with a prepared free-kick, scored by their goalscorer but created by dead-ball expert their tactical coach, fired from his role with Dortmund's reserve side in the previous season.

Appearing somewhat tired from their continental fixtures the Dortmund restored parity through an visually impressive goal of their own, with Yan Couto completing the move and though "the result was uncertain" in his assessment, the draw seemed fair.

Following the Fixture Reflections

Was there a declaration needing to be sent here, there was no team strong enough to fully deliver it. The Leipzig player discussed his team's progress under their coach, claiming that his side had demonstrated resilience and "played like real men, which we lacked to some extent last year," but it all felt like little steps in the positive trajectory as opposed to issuing any challenge.

"We're one of the best teams in the league," Baku continued and there is hard to argue with that as stands, but there is also the sense that it won't quite be enough this year in terms of mounting a serious challenge at the top.

Coaching Debates

This match possibly demonstrated precisely how the hosts have developed under the tutelage of Kovač, but also why there may be clear ceilings to what they can accomplish with him at the control. They rode out their weariness and the visitors' dominant periods and, in the latter stages of the game, indicated that they could be willing to push forward and win the game, especially thanks to the timely introductions 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 doubt over whether they can really be winners. As the Swiss international suggested, the visit to Munich after the international break will provide many answers.

Broader Perspective

If Dortmund or RB are title material is a separate issue. Following numerous seasons of internal and external instability, maybe BVB could do with a campaign of consistent results, of controlling a process of gradual improvement; the final objective also relevant for Leipzig.

For teams and clubs that regard themselves as polar opposites, they employed this fixture doing a very good impression of being in the same boat.

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