It's the first match up between Germany's biggest clubs in the new season: the DFL Supercup on Wednesday (12.08.2014) evening in Dortmund. And, despite being a replay of the 2012 and 2013 Supercup finals, this year it has a little bit more spice than usual.

Ahead of the game there have been arguments between the two clubs about the contract of Dortmund player Marco Reus. Before that there was Bastian Schweinsteiger's online outburst against Dortmund. And, of course, there's the small matter of Robert Lewandowski's transfer in the off-season from Dortmund to Bayern. He's just one of many high-profile players that Bayern has enticed away from the competition in recent years.

In fact, the invitation by the German Football League (DFL) to a joint lunch with the club bosses ahead of the Supercup game in Dortmund was snubbed by Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke due to a "deep disharmony" between the two sides. He was quoted in German football magazine "Kicker" as saying, "There's no point," when asked about it.

Playing for a title

Finally though, on Wednesday, sporting achievement takes precedence over trash-talking. World Cup winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said that he was looking forward to the game, against a team whom he considers to be Bayern's "biggest rival."

Bayern teammate Jerome Boateng also believes that after the World Cup win in Brazil the many new friendships formed with Dortmund's players will have to "be put aside for 90 minutes."

Still, neither club will likely field their full-strength first team for the season opener. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said ahead of the match that he only has eight or nine players fully fit. Meanwhile, Dortmund will play without Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, as both players are recovering from injury. In addition, a number of national team players on both sides are just coming back from holiday too.

"This is important, but it won't be easy, because a number of us have got back into training late," according to Bastian Schweinsteiger. "But thankfully we have other players who are also in good form."

"Obviously the rivalry is there when the game begins. But it's not as bad as people always sell it as. We get on well with the players from Borussia Dortmund, especially with the German national team players," Schweinsteiger added.

Lewandowski on form

One new player who will surely be in focus during the game is Bayern's new striker, Robert Lewandowski, who moved in the summer from Dortmund. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has described last year's top Bundesliga striker as a "fantastic footballer who gives our team a lot more quality." For Lewandowski, it will be the first time he will meet up with most of his Dortmund ex-teammates.

BVB coach Jürgen Klopp says he has fond memories of his former striker. "We are looking forward to seeing him again. Despite the new jersey, he's still a good guy."

Dortmund player Sebastian Kehl thinks that Lewandowski will be well received in Dortmund. "I don't think that he imagines that when he scores a goal, people will be cheering here," Kehl said. "But, generally I expect people will appreciate him, just as they did when he left."

Ramos and Immobile up front

With Lewandowski gone, Borussia Dortmund's new strikers for this season are Adrian Ramos und Ciro Immobile. Ramos was bought in from Hertha Berlin, while Immobile comes from Italian Serie A club Torino.

After Dortmund's 4-nil loss to Liverpool on Sunday, both players are ready to start against Bayern in the Supercup. The last competitive game between Bayern and Dortmund ended in a 3-0 win for Klopp's men and the inimitable coach is hoping to extend that run.

"A win against Bayern Munich would definitely be a good feeling, but it won't make a big impression on the season," Klopp said. "Last season, we won the [Supercup] game, and at the end of the season we were a few points behind, despite playing well. It's not about the result, it's about how you play your football."