BVB chief Ricken ahead of Bayern clash: "We're not a hopeless David" | OneFootball

Before the big Bundesliga classic between FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, BVB managing director Lars Ricken speaks up with confidence. The 49-year-old sees his team as the underdog—but by no means without a chance.

When FC Bayern hosts BVB at the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m., live on Sky), it’s not just the league leader and runner-up facing off, but also two teams in top form. While the record champions under Vincent Kompany remain unbeaten this season, Dortmund hasn’t lost a Bundesliga match in over seven months—a streak that further boosts the Black and Yellows’ confidence ahead of the classic.

Still, Ricken makes it clear: “Of course Bayern are the favorites in this match, but I definitely wouldn’t call it David versus Goliath. And if anyone does call us that, then we’re a very combative David,” he said in Sport BILD.

Ricken: “We have to prevent Bayern from playing at their best”

Photo: IMAGO/osnapix

The BVB boss sees the dominance of the record champions rooted in structural strength: “That is the result of decades of work, which is now culminating in the fact that no team has managed to face Bayern on equal terms this season.”

Ricken therefore sets out the game plan for the classic with a clear focus: “We have to show our top performance and prevent Bayern from showing theirs. Then we have a chance.”

The task could hardly be more difficult. Under Vincent Kompany, FC Bayern is more defensively stable and offensively versatile than ever before.

But Dortmund has also found its stride under Niko Kovac. BVB is unbeaten in 20 Bundesliga matches across all competitions and has significantly improved defensively. With 42 points from the last 20 league games, the Black and Yellows are currently the record champions’ closest pursuers.

The match in Munich will not only be a test for Kovac’s team, but could also decide the course of the rest of the season. A defeat would increase the gap to Bayern to seven points. “We know what’s coming,” Ricken emphasized. “But we’ve worked hard for this position and we’re heading to Munich with our heads held high.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.