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In the most anticipated event since sports started returning around the globe, Bayern Munich cemented their spot at the top of the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win over Borussia Dortmund Tuesday. The actual soccer played on the pitch lacked a certain flair, but the broadcast wasn’t devoid of highlights.

From the start of the match, FS1 piped in fake crowd noise as no spectators were allowed into the stadium. On the field, Dortmund was also robbed of a penalty kick in the second half after a missed handball in the box. Although the 1-0 final didn’t provide many fireworks, it was still a breath of fresh air to watch two of the best sports teams in the world compete again.

Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund featured revolutionary fake crowd noise

With no fans allowed in live sporting events yet, FS1 has gotten creative with its broadcasts. During Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund’s match Tuesday, Fox piped in fake crowd noise throughout the entire match.

It sounded exactly like a rowdy Dortmund home crowd chanting for the full 90 minutes. If that wasn’t impressive enough, FS1 found a way to sync the noise up with what was happening on the pitch. Whenever Dortmund mounted a promising attack, the fake crowd would get louder in hopes of a goal from the home side.

Play-by-play announcer Joe Buck actually brought up the idea of fake crowd noise during the NFL season a few weeks ago. His pitch was met with doubt and even some hatred, but the Bundesliga and FS1 proved it can be beneficial to the game if done right.

A missed handball in the 55th minute cost Dortmund a penalty kick

Borussia Dortmund fell 1-0 in the end, but many believe they were robbed of a 1-1 draw Tuesday. In the 55th minute, Erling Haland of Dortmund received a pass in the middle of the box. He struck a promising shot with his left foot that seemed destined for the bottom right corner of the net.

However, Bayern defenseman Jerome Boateng lifted his elbow off the ground and deflected the shot wide. The ball clearly hit Boateng on the elbow while he was in the box. The referee ruled play on and never checked the replay afterward.

If he had checked VAR, Dortmund would’ve most likely been awarded a penalty kick. Although it’s never a guaranteed goal, Dortmund should’ve been awarded a chance to tie the match.

The missed handball gave Bayern Munich an easy path to the Bundesliga crown

Missed calls occur all the time in soccer. It’s impossible for the referee to see every infraction, but this one might’ve decided the Bundesliga season. Bayern Munich went on to win the match and take a seven-point lead in the German league over Borussia Dortmund.

With just six matches remaining for Bayern, it all but wrapped up the Bundesliga title with its win on Tuesday. If Bayern holds on, it will be the club’s eighth straight Bundesliga championship.

If Dortmund could’ve escaped with a draw Tuesday, it would have been just four points behind Bayern. Now seven points back, Dortmund needs a miracle to catch the German dynasty.

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Staff Writer

Jack Dougherty

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies.

When Jack isn’t writing about sports, he’s watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He’s also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.