Borussia Dortmund 1-3 Bayern Munich: 5 Talking Points

Expect all the early season chatters of Borussia Dortmund's return to the pinnacle of German football to effectively wither away after their 3-1 humbling at the hands of eternal rivals Bayern Munich at the Signal Iduna Park.

Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski and David Alaba all found the back of the net to put the visitors in a commanding 3-0 lead, before Marc Bartra struck a stunning swerve into the far corner which was nothing more than a consolation for the lacklustre hosts.

Bayern Munich now lead the pack by four points, while Borussia Dortmund continue to hit new lows with four consecutive winless matches in the Bundesliga. Here are the major talking points from the game:

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#5 Bayern are still a bridge too far for Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund are left in the lurch by Bayern Munich again

Borussia Dortmund sat merrily at the top of the standings until last month, convincing the pundits into considering them a serious contender for the title this time. With six victories from the first seven games, the Yellow Submarine were riding a wave of confidence. But then, they lost their footing. And how.

Winless in the last four games including three defeats, Dortmund's season has turned upside down within a span of three weeks. The aura of invincibility now seems punctured to the extent of no return, and it's hardly surprising then to watch them go down so easily against their Bavarian rivals.

Bayern Munich dealt with their own fare share of problems at the start of the season, but the return of Jupp Heynckes has changed everything. The shoe is one the other foot now and it is them who are sitting pretty at the top of the standings after matchday 11. The 5-time defending champions are once again driving their way towards yet another domestic title, and Dortmund have to play catch-up again.

Their form has plummeted so dramatically it's hard to believe that they, who led Bayern by 5 points after seven games, are now trailing by six. Even though we still have 23 more rounds to go, Dortmund's freefall suggests its a bridge too far to traverse.

#4 An exhibition of top-grade goals

Robert Lewandowski doing a Cristiano Ronaldo with a sweet backheel

Not only is Borussia Dortmund versus Bayern Munich a top billing in the German Bundesliga, but there have been goals in this duel that continue to etch in our memories. And in the latest Der Klassiker, there were goals aplenty that were flat-out top drawer.

Arjen Robben began the exhibition with a lovely finish into the far post. Laid off by James Rodriguez, the Dutch winger cut inside before hitting a magnificent shot to slot home the visitors' opener and also becoming the most prolific foreign player for Bayern in Bundesliga with 93 goals.

Though it did take a good 16 minutes for Die Roten to get into the groove, once they did, there was no stopping them.

Soon, Lewandowski piled on with a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque back-foot finish for Bayern's second. Although deflection played its part in helping finding the net, it was exquisite from the Pole. As Joshua Kimmich crossed into the box for Lewi, he struck a cheeky backheel that was drilled over by Roman Burki.

Having raced to a 3-0 lead after the halfway mark in the game, Marc Bartra pulled one back for the hosts with another sensational curling effort, giving the thronging Dortmund fans something to write home about. The goal reeked sheer quality, and Bartra pulled it off with such nonchalance.

It was a night of supreme quality finishes.

#3 James Rodriguez continues to grow in stature

James Rodriguez is enjoying his new found life

James Rodriguez's prolific FIFA 2014 World Cup campaign was supposed to propel him further up the footballing pyramid when Real Madrid came calling, but it was hardly anything but that. The Colombian spent most of his days warming the bench or in the treatment room.

Frustrated on seeing get such limited time on the field, James finally made the impending departure and joined Bayern. Now, he is not only getting his due, but also proving to be the precocious talent that he never was at Madrid.

The former Monaco starlet may not have got among the goals, but laid vital assists for two of the three efforts on strike last night, signifying his tremendous contributions in Bayern's rout.

At first, James showed great composure to chest down a towering cross by Thiago Alcantara before setting up Robben, and followed it up with another neat clean through to David Alaba who made it three for Jupp Heynckes' men soon after.

James has struck two goals in four starts for Bayern in the league, despite being blighted by injuries early on. Now, he also has three assists to his name.

The 26-year old has found pastures anew at Bayern and he's certainly turning out to be the player that everyone expected to see following his excursions in the Brazilian showpiece.

Real Madrid, are you watching?

#2 Pressure continues to pile on Peter

Peter Bosz may get the boot

Following the ego clashes that culminated in the ouster of Thomas Tuchel, Ajax manager Peter Bosz was chosen to take over the mantle. And after a positive start to the season, everything's falling apart for Dortmund. Chinks have developed in their armor and Bosz doesn't know how to paper over them.

The latest setback leaves them four domestic games without a win, a run that has seen them getting overwhelmed three times, including by the likes of minnows such as Hannover 96, whilst also dramatically ceding the league leadership that they enjoyed until recently. Talk about tables turning.

Dortmund's record in the Champions League has been more grim though, with two defeats and as many draws from four games and staring at a very real prospect of dropping into the Europa League.

The board has been patient with Peter Bosz until now, but now that patience is soon wearing thin. Dortmund have once again receded into mediocrity and that isn't good. All the promise of the initial weeks already looks like a fading memory as the Yellow Submarine are more of a sinking ship right now.

Devoid of confidence and shorn of any intent in their game, Bosz is currently leading a band of busted flushes.

The Dutchman can really feel the heat fanning and the sword of Damocles hanging over his head. The execution may happen any time now.

#1 There's something about Jupp Heynckes and his Bayern Munich connection

Jupp Heynckes has turned the tide upon his arrival

Having led Bayern Munich to a historic treble in 2013, Jupp Heynckes headed for a retirement in the best way possible. Over four years later, he's back in the dugout and Bayern have begun to fire at all cylinders. That's not a coincidence.

All the stumble and squabble of the initial months under Carlo Ancelotti seem to have left Bavaria with the Italian, as Bayern are a breathing a new lease of life under their beloved 72-year old manager.

Not only are they back at the top of the Bundesliga table, but have also conjured a rich vein of form that has lead them to the league titles all these years. There's a sense of mirth and merriment that is engulfing the Munich air and Heynckes is at the centre of it.

Bayern have maintained a terrific record under him in the past, and in this third stint at the club, has registered victories in all games barring one.

There's definitely a special connection between him and the club, that everything he touches turns into gold for them. The danger of a season falling apart even before it could ever fly is now banished in the past and within a matter of weeks, has turned The Reds into favourites again.