Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel has praised the performance of his players after they narrowly defeated rivals Bayern Munich 1-0 on Saturday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's early goal was enough to secure the three points at the Westfalenstadion, although Franck Ribery had a goal disallowed for the visitors and Xabi Alonso struck the bar in the second half.
The win - Dortmund's first over Bayern at home since 2012 - ended Carlo Ancelotti's side's unbeaten start to the season and closed the gap between the two sides to three points.
Dortmund 1-0 Bayern FT:
Shots: 11-18
Pass accuracy: 73%-85%
Chances created: 8-13
Possession: 41%-59%
Bayern no longer unbeaten. pic.twitter.com/tlSH9sUX7b
Tuchel admitted it was a difficult game, but credited the attitude of his players in stopping their normally free-scoring opposition from finding the net.
"It was a very tough match, but it was already clear to us that it would be," he toldDortmund's official website.
"If you get into the ring with the Bavarians, you cannot just expect to be come out without a black eye - without conceding a goal.
"You have to stop them. That was our motto. No matter what happens, no matter how much we have to suffer, we had to stop them. Never give up, always remain courageous and continue to defend.
"We have allowed Bayern a few half chances, but not really big chances. That's why it was a top performance from us."
The win was Dortmund's second in a row in the Bundesliga andmoved themup to third, three points behind Bayern in second andsix points off newly promoted league leadersRB Leipzig.