Three Bayern to-dos for the classic: How FCB will beat BVB | OneFootball

It’s that time again on Saturday evening (18:30, live on Sky): The German classic is on the agenda, with FC Bayern visiting Borussia Dortmund and the league leaders traveling to the runners-up

Eight points currently separate the two teams in the Bundesliga, and the record champions have a much better goal difference, which in turn means that even if BVB win, it will be a mammoth task for them to play any sort of role in the title race

But the Black & Yellows will definitely be looking to inflict a second defeat of the season on FC Bayern, especially as BVB have only lost to one team in the league so far, namely coach Vincent Kompany’s side

And even though Dortmund have just come from a 4-1 defeat in Bergamo and have been knocked out of the top flight, Bayern should be warned. The last four games have been close, with FCB winning only one of these duels with their current number one rivals. In all of these games, Dortmund found ways and means to put Bayern under pressure, at least in phases, regardless of their own form

So there are a few things that need to be done on the pitch in order to secure a win in Dortmund. Here are three to-dos for FC Bayern

1. Learn from the last BVB games

Of course, a team like FC Bayern must and wants to look at itself first and foremost. But Dortmund’s last two games revealed weaknesses that were hardly, if at all, seen at BVB in the weeks before. The wing-backs, namely Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson, wobbled dangerously defensively. For all their quality going forward, both were extremely vulnerable. BVB already conceded two identical goals via the Ryerson side in Leipzig. A lack of one-twos, too many gaps between the wing-backs and the back three, reacting too slowly: all of this led to danger

photo: Getty Images

And against Atalanta, they conceded another goal in the same pattern after less than five minutes. When Ryerson was left alone, the Bergamaschi played mercilessly into the space behind him. And they also forced the wing-backs to take responsibility for the crosses, pulling them wide to the far post and Ryerson simply flew through under some of the crosses. Interestingly, Yan Couto, who came on for Ryerson, also failed to close down the side. This is particularly relevant because Ryerson is suspended for the classic and Couto will play

For FC Bayern, this is exactly where you have to start. BVB are currently lacking clarity in defence from the wing, regardless of the personnel. This means that Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, who will probably play from the start, are the focal point. They have to try to keep exploiting these gaps and need support from the full-backs. If that is the case, then a basis is already in place

2. Beware of stationary balls

BVB are not in second place for no reason. There must be things that work very well for the Black & Yellows. Set-pieces are one of them, and Dortmund have scored a number of goals here in recent weeks, as well as from crosses out of play. And Bayern have often been vulnerable defensively in recent games, including the 3-2 win over Frankfurt last weekend

One of the keys to victory will of course be to break Dortmund’s offense. In addition to good counter-attacking defense, it is also particularly important to reduce the opponent’s standards to a minimum in order to prevent Dortmund from playing to their own strengths on a permanent basis. Clarity is therefore needed in their own defensive actions and unnecessary fouls should be avoided

3. Intensity as the top priority

FC Bayern have a decisive advantage in this match, one that the record champions‘ opponents usually have. Bayern have played four competitive matches in February. BVB have six competitive matches, having just played two English weeks in a row and Leipzig in between. Dortmund have also had to endure two away matches in a row in the last few days. That can be a blessing for Bayern, a team that plays extremely intensively and has a lot of sprints planned for each match

photo: IMAGO

Bayern must keep the intensity high against BVB for the entire duration of the game, then they will gain an advantage. A drop in tension like against Frankfurt from the middle of the second half should be avoided at all costs, because that can be dangerous against any opponent in the Bundesliga. Ideally, the intensity will lead to Dortmund making mistakes, becoming unfocused and allowing small lapses in concentration to creep in. If intensity is then added from the bench at the decisive moments, then things will look very good.