Silva's 89th-minute leveller earns Dortmund a share of the spoils

Fabio Silva scored the goal that mattered most in his career so far, coming off the bench to equalise in the 89th minute as Borussia Dortmund drew 2-2 with Bayern in Der Klassiker.

The strike came at the opposite end from where Harry Kane, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, had been unable to find a breakthrough for the home side, according to Sky Sports Football.

For Dortmund, the point arrived after a week in which the squad had been pushed to re-examine its standards, with Silva pointing to the turnaround in collective mentality as the key factor.

Speaking to Bulinews after the final whistle, Silva said: "I'm happy. I think the most important thing was our mentality. After the last game [3-2 DFB-Pokal win] against Bremen, we were not so happy about our performance then."

He added that the coaching staff had been direct in their assessment of that Pokal victory over Werder Bremen. "The coach said it was not our best game and we agreed. We tried to change the mentality and show we are here to fight for titles and we are not afraid of any team," he said.

Silva's winner, or rather his leveller, was his reward for an appearance from the substitutes' bench, a role he has occupied with increasing regularity this season despite his own reservations about it.

He was candid about the frustration of not starting, while stressing that his focus remains on serving the team regardless of where he is used. "It feels important to help the team. Football is not only about goals. I was there to help the team and try create chances for teammates. I also combine with Serhou [Guirassy] well," he said.

Pressed on his preference, the Portuguese forward did not disguise his ambition to be a regular starter. "Of course I want to be on the pitch from the start. If I say I'm happy to start on the bench, then I would not be 100 percent honest with you. At first I am of course angry," he said.

He went on to explain how he manages that disappointment within a squad he believes is built for silverware. "But I try to always be positive because I know I am important for the team. If I start on the pitch or bench, I focus on that because we have an amazing squad to fight for titles," he said.

For Bayern, the draw leaves Kane's afternoon as a rare off-day for a player holding the game's most prestigious individual honour, with Sky Sports Football noting he had chances at his own end of the pitch before Silva's intervention denied the hosts victory.

The result keeps both Bundesliga heavyweights occupied with questions of consistency, Dortmund mindful of repeating the sharper mentality Silva described, and Bayern looking to shake off a result that will sting given the chances reportedly missed by their most decorated forward.