BUNDESLIGA PREVIEW | Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich: Can BVB bounce back in Der Klassiker? | OneFootball

This weekend’s Der Klassiker between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich could go a long way to deciding where the title goes this season. 

BVB will need to bounce back quickly after the disappointing result against Atalanta on Wednesday, whilst Bayern have had all week to prepare. 

Regardless of preparations and previous results, this weekend’s Topspiel has all the makings to be a classic. 

Borussia Dortmund

Niko Kovac’s side will have to overcome the disastrous night in Bergamo, where they suffered a 4-1 defeat, losing 4-3 on aggregate to end their Champions League campaign somewhat prematurely. 

BVB now only have the Bundesliga to play for, and there’s no better time to stamp your authority than a win against league leaders Bayern Munich. 

Victory for Dortmund on Saturday evening would put them just five points behind Bayern. Something that would have seemed unlikely at the turn of the year, but given Bayern’s slip-ups against FC Augsburg and Hamburger SV, the gap has shrunk to a more achievable goal for BVB. 

When it comes to league form, Dortmund have lost just once all season, of course, to Bayern Munich. However, there’s no denying that Niko Kovac has managed to turn the fortunes and mentality around for BVB. 

Even when they haven’t played well this season, they’ve managed to see games out – VfL Wolfsburg and Union Berlin away are both clear examples. 

Dortmund also rescued a point from almost certain defeat last weekend in Saxony when Fabio Silva scored an injury-time equaliser to draw 2-2 with RB Leipzig. 

However, Bayern is a different beast altogether. BVB will need to be on it from minute one and look to disrupt the flow of Bayern’s free-flowing attack. 

Whilst Dortmund clearly have the players to hurt Bayern, they can also look to the blueprint of Augsburg and HSV for inspiration. 

What’s more, when it comes to home defensive records, BVB boast the best defence. It’s particularly this defensive record that has put BVB in the position they’re in. 

Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was asked about this record earlier in the week at a Bundesliga roundtable. 

“I think just come together as a team. The coach always focuses on how important it is that every single player is involved in defense, even the strikers, even the attackers. I think if you’re compact as a team, if you focus, if you work as an engine, like the whole team together, it’s way harder to score because the space is way smaller. And then obviously just the basics, intensity, physicality, search for the duels, sometimes it has to be a little bit painful as well.”

Bayern Munich

Unlike their hosts, Bayern Munich have had all week to prepare for this top-of-the-table clash. 

Following the draw to HSV five matchdays ago, Bayern Munich have put together four wins on the bounce, scoring 13 and conceding just three. It’s something that has come to epitomise Bayern’s season. You have Harry Kane looking to beat Robert Lewandowski’s goal-scoring record, whilst Bayern themselves could set the record for most goals scored collectively in a Bundesliga campaign. If they keep up their scoring record from the first half of the season, they’ll end the season on 120 goals! 

Given the defensive record of Dortmund and the attacking threat of Bayern, head coach Vincent Kompany is predicting a good game and one that should be a positive advertisement for the Bundesliga. 

“It’s a Klassiker. It has its importance; in the moments of top matches, we should make it as big as it is. I think that’s good. It’s important for the Bundesliga that we have a top match tomorrow – both teams shouldn’t be afraid.”

Team News

Borussia Dortmund

Emre Can and Niklas Süle both remained sidelined with injuries, so expect Waldermar Anton to start alongside Nico Schlotterbeck in central defence. Ramy Bensebaini will be hoping for a better display than in midweek, with the Algerian expected to start at full-back. 

Bayern Munich

Manuel Neuer will be back sooner than Vincent Kompany thought. The veteran goalkeeper may train with the squad on Friday afternoon, and then a decision will be made. If Neuer is not 100% fit, then Jonas Urbig will start with Bayern. 

Michael Olise, Aleksandar Pavlović, Kim Min-jae, and Hiroki Itō were all carrying knocks this week. 

Kompany confirmed: “We have a medical meeting after this press conference. I’ll get the last information about the players. At the moment, things are looking good. Maybe not everyone will be able to start against Dortmund. But we have the opportunity to line up with a very strong team.” 

It’s sure to be an interesting match-up in the Tospiel this weekend, and as always, GGFN will have you covered on all the stories across the Bundesliga on matchday 24. 

GGFN | Jamie Allen