Insider reveals: Bayern and Hoeneß fear them more than BVB | OneFootball

If anyone knows what makes the duel between FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund so special, it's Michael Henke. The 68-year-old was assistant coach under Ottmar Hitzfeld – both at BVB (1989 to 1998) and at FC Bayern (1998 to 2004 and 2007 to 2008). Together they won seven championships, three cup victories, and twice the Champions League.

In an interview with BILD, Henke looks ahead to the upcoming duel on Saturday (6:30 PM/Sky) and reveals why the rivalry has not lost any of its intensity despite sporting changes.

"Yes, it is still the biggest game in German football," says Henke. "Recently, Leverkusen was the biggest rival in sporting terms, but Bayern – and also Uli Hoeneß – still have the most fear of Dortmund."

Henke explains that the respect for the force of BVB is still palpable today: "In our time and later under Jürgen Klopp, it became clear what force can arise when this machine gets rolling with all its fans. That could be dangerous to Bayern's dominance. Neither Leverkusen nor Leipzig has this power."

Hoeneß’ Motivation Trick and Henke on Kovac’s Dortmund

Photo: IMAGO/Newspix

Henke's insight into the locker room politics of the 90s and 2000s is particularly revealing. Back then, Uli Hoeneß knew how to prepare the players for a duel with Dortmund – with a very special incentive: "Uli, who was still the manager at the time, often offered a double bonus before games against BVB. This made the significance of the game and the rivalry particularly clear."

Today, according to Henke, motivation works differently with million-dollar salaries – more through additional days off than through money. But the emotional tension between the two clubs remains.

Henke also has a clear opinion on the current situation: For him, Bayern is still the favorite despite everything. "Bayern is the favorite for me in the current form. But Niko Kovač has stabilized Dortmund so that they can score points on a good day."

The former Bayern assistant coach particularly praises Kovac's work ethic and discipline: "He not only got the team fit but also gave them clear instructions. His strictness has given the players back their confidence."

"If BVB wins in Munich, it could be dangerous"

However, Henke warns of a possible misconception: "If BVB wins in Munich, it could be dangerous. Some players might then think they are on par – and let the hard work slide. That would be a huge mistake."

Only if Kovac manages to keep his players focused despite a success can the classic become a turning point – not because Bayern collapses, but because Dortmund finally shows consistency again. And it is precisely this consistency, according to Henke, that is the only way to truly endanger Bayern's "dominance" in the long term.

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