Bayern Tracks Down Dortmund; Ties Them at the Top

For all the turmoil Germany's footballing superpower has endured in the early season, they're back where they expected to be all along.

FC Bayern has taken advantage of Borussia Dortmund's poor run, catching them at the Bundesliga's pinnacle in all but goal difference.

Die Roten steadied their ship a month ago to get into position and then collected seven points in their last three matches, compared to Der BVB's four.

At first glance, Dortmund may feels it's an advantage lost.

However, they'll surely keep in mind that their relative pace vis-à-vis their co-leaders will only be determined when the corresponding results against common opponents are in:

• Dortmund's last two matches were against capable sides in RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt.
• Bayern will meet the Red Bulls for the first time this weekend and Die Adler -- the Eagles --in mid-December.

So Der BVB would be well-advised to just stay the course.

Still, they can't feel all that chipper after totally blowing a two-goal lead at Eintracht to settle for a 2-2 draw:

Meanwhile, Bayern had to work to squeeze by bottom-three side Hamburger SV, 0-1.

And that was after having a man advantage from the 39th minute onward:

It may be too early to watch scoreboards, but no matter when Leipzig and Bayern meet this season, it's impossible to ignore.

Dortmund, though, had best keep its focus on what's in front of it right now. It can't afford to be tossing away any more points.