FEATURE | Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: 3 key battles ahead of Der Klassiker | OneFootball

Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund in the 138th edition of the Klassiker. Both teams head into the Matchday 7 clash unbeaten with Vincent Kompany’s side leading the Bundesliga by four points.

With interesting battles taking place all over the pitch from Joshua Kimmich vs Felix Nmecha and Luis Diaz vs Yan Couto, the Get German Football News team looks at three of the battles to keep an eye on.

Harry Kane vs Nico Schlotterbeck

One of the standout battles of Dortmund vs Bayern will be Kane vs Schlotterbeck. The Englishman has started the season in red-hot form so far with 21 goal contributions in 10 games in all competitions, while Schlotterbeck has only just returned from a meniscus injury.

With a lot of talk about the German international’s contract, he will be under the spotlight to perform against Kane and to try and keep him quiet, something that no one has done this season. If Schlotterbeck can mitigate the impact of the 32-year-old, it will go a long way to helping Dortmund win the game.

On the flip side, Kane has evolved this season and has become more of a 9.5 in the absence of Jamal Musiala. This has made him very difficult to handle for every defender he has faced this season due to the quality surrounding him.

However, the problem for Dortmund is, even if Schlotterbeck can deal with Kane, there are still Michael Olise and Luis Diaz. Jack Meenan

Serhou Guirassy vs Dayot Upamecano

At the other end of the pitch, attention will turn to an intriguing duel between Upamecano and Guirassy. Upamecano has started the season in excellent form, with the record champions conceding just three goals in the Bundesliga so far. The French defender has looked composed and commanding, showing why some of the world’s biggest clubs have been linked in recent days.

His main task will be to thwart BVB’s Guirassy, who began the campaign brightly with five goals in his first six appearances across all competitions. Although the Guinean striker hasn’t scored in the league since mid-September against Heidenheim, he rediscovered his touch with a scrappy goal in the recent Champions League win over Athletic Club.

Unlike last season, Dortmund have not been overly dependent on Guirassy for goals. The scoring burden has been shared more evenly, with the likes of Karim Adeyemi, Yan Couto, and Daniel Svensson all contributing multiple goals so far.

Guirassy remains a crucial focal point, however. Tasked with occupying Upamecano, providing a target up front, and creating space for Dortmund’s wingers and wingbacks to exploit. Harry Good

Michael Olise vs Daniel Svensson

With 30 goal contributions (12 goals and 18 assists) in 34 Bundesliga games last season, Michael Olise was named Get German Football News’ Player of the Season. And the Frenchman has started the 2025/26 campaign in similar fashion with three goals and three assists in six Bundesliga games. Against Borussia Dortmund, the 23-year-old will be up against Daniel Svensson, one of Niko Kovač’s standout players.

While it’s Guirassy and Adeyemi that are rightfully earning the plaudits, it’s Svensson that is BVB’s unsung hero. No player has covered more distance or recorded more defensive runs than the Swedish wing-back this season, who also has a Bundesliga goal to his name. Efficient defensively and a welcomed workhorse in an improving Dortmund side, Svensson is establishing himself as a key player for the Ruhr club.

And with both players playing at the top of their game, this promises to be an exciting battle. Daniel Pinder

GGFN | News Desk