Dominant Bayern along with sparkling Luis Díaz serve up a clear signal to German league's challengers.

When Saturday's action became evening, the Bavarian giants exhibited their present dominance as the league's powerhouse, practically untouchable and motivated into their top gear by worthy opponents, as demonstrated in their later match at emerging Eintracht Frankfurt.

Top German League Encounter

Although Dortmund's encounter with RB Leipzig had the stature of a crucial encounter in the beginning phase of the Bundesliga season, with second facing third, anticipations were somewhat tempered in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Whether it was Niko Kovac referencing his fellow former Bayern manager the Italian legend ("when you cannot win, you can't lose," he commented at full-time) or his rival manager the visiting manager speaking about his "evolving" side, it appeared as though a 1-1 draw was appropriate, resulting in both teams moderately content, moderately annoyed.

Traditional Competition

This represents a game that matters, and has consistently been important since their Bundesliga entry. These opposing sides are chalk and cheese in approach and what they believe they stand for.

If the Bundesliga is familiar with Leipzig – as opposed to having completely embraced the club in principle – there is a unique intensity of animosity that meets RB when they arrive at their home ground.

Advertising Battles

On Friday morning prominent advertisements in urban Dortmund displayed two servings of fries, basic fries and one with tomato and mayonnaise (for the red and white of RB), annotated with the legend "Merely yellow won't bring happiness," with the wordplay of the German word for yellow rather than money joking about the perception of Leipzig as a corporate creation.

The notices were credited "with sporting greetings, The Red Bulls." After all these years RB understand they'll never become regarded as genuine by swathes 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 season opener there, humorously referencing "finally a simple red and white jersey" making an appearance after certain supporters' criticisms about the champions' latest kit.

Matchday Key Moments

That Dortmund and Leipzig are competing for the similar objectives only adds to the rivalry, although it is not the motivation behind it. Bayern's early season fettle has only accentuated this feeling, and seeing Luis Díaz surpass even their top scorer this weekend, with the German's improved performances compensating for the continued absence of the young talent, this weekend has been an illustration of the actual situation of each team's standing.

RB opened impressively and surprised Dortmund with a prepared free-kick, scored by the Austrian midfielder but created by set-piece coach Jan Zimmerman, dismissed from his role with Dortmund's reserve side in spring.

Appearing somewhat tired from their European commitments the Dortmund equalised through an aesthetically pleasing goal of their own, with Yan Couto putting the finishing touch and though "victory was possible for either" in the scorer's opinion, the shared points felt about right.

After the Game Assessment

Had there been a statement waiting to be made here, there was no one capable to completely achieve it. Their defender commented on his squad's improvement under Werner, arguing that his side had demonstrated resilience and "displayed maturity, which we lacked to some extent last year," but it all seemed like little steps in the right direction instead of issuing any challenge.

"We rank among the top sides in the league," Baku continued and there is little disputing that at present, but there is also the sense that it may not suffice this year in terms of producing a real contest at the top.

Managerial Questions

This match perhaps underlined exactly why Dortmund have progressed under the guidance of Kovač, but also why there may be definite boundaries to what they can achieve with him at the control. They survived their weariness and Leipzig's strong spells and, in the latter stages of the game, indicated that they could be willing to push forward and secure victory, particularly with the timely introductions of their new signing and their promising youngster.

Yet, was the conviction to make an increase a tempo into a victory, or just a hope that it would? The current Dortmund can be competitive, but there is a uncertainty over whether they have title-winning capability. As the Swiss international commented, the visit to Munich after the fixture hiatus will provide many answers.

League Overview

If Dortmund or RB should be winners is a separate issue. Post multiple campaigns of various challenges, maybe BVB could do with a year of simple competence, of controlling a process of gradual improvement; the ultimate goal also relevant for Leipzig.

Regarding these sides that view themselves as polar opposites, they employed this fixture giving a perfect example of sharing comparable situations.

Standings