Match ends, Borussia Dortmund 0, FC Bayern München 0.
B DortmundBorussia Dortmund0Bayern MunichBayern Munich0
Bayern Munich maintained their five-point lead over second-placed Borussia Dortmund following a 0-0 draw at Westfalenstadion.
A seventh win in eight league games would have lifted Dortmund to within two points of Bayern following the champions' shock 2-1 defeat at home to Mainz in midweek.
But Pep Guardiola's side rarely looked like losing again.
The visitors' Arturo Vidal was closest to a winner when he hit the bar.
Only thing missing was a goal
It was not an epic 'Der Klassiker' but there was still plenty of quality on show.
Both sides struggled in front of goal, with Dortmund's lively striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang twice being denied by Manuel Neuer.
Robert Lewandowski had a quiet night, with Bayern's best openings falling to Thomas Muller, Douglas Costa, Arjen Robben and Vidal, whose close-range volley was superbly touched onto the bar by Roman Burki.
Bayern 'Pep' up title hopes
Guardiola's side will be the happier of the two as they maintained the status quo at the top of the table with nine games to go.
A third league defeat of the season would have made it a nervy run-in to the end of the season and raised further question marks about Bayern's ability to get the job done before Guardiola leaves to join Manchester City in the summer.
There was no doubt his side looked fully focused on their jobs at a passionate Westfalenstadion and, if anything, the more likely winners.
Bayern dominated the second half and have every chance of retaining their title in tandem with a challenge for the Champions League.
The home leg of their last-16 tie with Juventus, currently locked at 2-2, will be played later this month.
A tough man to please
Guardiola dished out some tough love to Joshua Kimmich after he helped Bayern keep a clean sheet.
The 21-year-old midfielder was pressed into service as a central defender to cover for injuries and produced a top-class performance.
That didn't stop Guardiola marching onto the pitch after the final whistle to remonstrate at length with the seemingly bemused young man.
All ended well, though, with Guardiola dishing out hugs and praise.
The Bayern boss said: "He is passionate, he has absolutely everything."
It could be interesting at Manchester City next season......
What next?
Bayern Munich have a blank midweek before playing improving Werder Bremen at home next Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund turn their attention back to Europe and the home leg of an appetising last-16 tie against Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday.
What they said
Bayern forward Thomas Muller: "Nil-nil is definitely a result we can live with. I'd like to have seen our efforts rewarded with a 1-0 win.
"It stays exciting. We're still under pressure for the remaining games."
Line-ups
B Dortmund
Formation 3-4-3
- 38Bürki
- 26Piszczek
- 6BenderBooked at 37mins
- 15Hummels
- 37Durm
- 33Weigl
- 8GündoganSubstituted forSahinat 90+1'minutes
- 29Schmelzer
- 10Mkhitaryan
- 17Aubameyang
- 11ReusSubstituted forRamosat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Weidenfeller
- 4Subotic
- 14Leitner
- 18Sahin
- 20Ramos
- 27Castro
- 28Ginter
Bayern Munich
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Neuer
- 21Lahm
- 32Kimmich
- 27Alaba
- 18Bernat
- 14AlonsoBooked at 22minsSubstituted forBenatiaat 90'minutes
- 23Vidal
- 10Robben
- 25Müller
- 11Douglas CostaSubstituted forRibéryat 75'minutes
- 9Lewandowski
Substitutes
- 5Benatia
- 6Thiago Alcántara
- 7Ribéry
- 13Ferreira de Souza
- 19Götze
- 20Rode
- 26Ulreich
- Referee:
- Tobias Stieler
- Attendance:
- 81,359
Match Stats
Home TeamB DortmundAway TeamBayern Munich
- Possession
- Home37%
- Away63%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away17
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away4
- Corners
- Home2
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Borussia Dortmund 0, FC Bayern München 0.
Substitution
Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Nuri Sahin replaces Ilkay Gündogan.
Substitution
Substitution, FC Bayern München. Medhi Benatia replaces Xabi Alonso because of an injury.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Xabi Alonso (FC Bayern München) because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt missed. Thomas Müller (FC Bayern München) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Arjen Robben.
Post update
Attempt missed. Adrián Ramos (Borussia Dortmund) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. Thomas Müller (FC Bayern München) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Robert Lewandowski (FC Bayern München) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund).
Post update
Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Xabi Alonso.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Post update
Hand ball by Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München).
Substitution
Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Adrián Ramos replaces Marco Reus.
Post update
Juan Bernat (FC Bayern München) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund).
Post update
Attempt missed. Xabi Alonso (FC Bayern München) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left. Assisted by David Alaba.
Post update
Attempt missed. Arturo Vidal (FC Bayern München) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Franck Ribéry.
Post update
Corner, FC Bayern München. Conceded by Sven Bender.
