The 100th meeting of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund is one of the most significant, with the title in the balance. Some of DW's Bundesliga writers put their necks on the line with predictions for Saturday's game.
Image: Reuters/K. Pfaffenbach
Advertisement
After a draw with Freiburg that cast fresh doubt on their quest to win a seventh straight Bundesliga title, Bayern Munich welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Allianz Arena with a two point deficit. A repeat of Dortmund's 3-2 win in the first meeting of the sides this season would leave Bayern needing to make up five points in six games and BVB likely to win their first title since 2012. Here's how our writers think it will go.
Michael Da Silva - Returning Reus to inspire Dortmund
Dortmund have struggled when Marco Reus is not there, as seen only last week when they limped over the line with two late goals against Wolfsburg. Reus is not only a goal threat himself, but brings the best out of Jadon Sancho, and that attacking axis will be key for Dortmund.
While Bayern have done well to even make it into a title race, Dortmund's ceiling has been higher than Bayern's all season and they are more than capable of pulling a big performance out of the bag on the big night. Dortmund are vulnerable at the back, but could welcome back Lukasz Piszczek, which would be huge boost. The Pole has been missed since getting injured in February.
Going out of the Champions League early seems to have knocked Bayern's confidence, and it's worth noting that Sven Ulreich has conceded five goals in the two games he has been deputizing for the injured Manuel Neuer in goal for Bayern. Should he play, his confidence won't be high, and neither will Bayern's.
Prediction: Bayern 1-3 Dortmund
Sven Ulreich has conceded five in two gamesImage: Imago-Images/GEPA pictures/T. Bachun
Matt Pearson - Weakness out wide will cost Dortmund
Although few in the Dortmund camp will say it out loud, Lucien Favre and his players must know this is their chance, not just for this season, but perhaps for the foreseeable future, with Bayern ramping up their squad overhaul even before 2018-19 has ended.
The freedom and verve of BVB's early season displays have been replaced with nervy wins, often secured in the dying moments of games and it's difficult to see that as sustainable. While Bayern have had their own problems in the last week, it just feels like their experience might prove critical. The injury problems that leave Dortmund desperately short at fullback — even if he returns Piszczek can't possibly be match fit — could well be exposed by Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry and/or Franck Ribery and will prove decisive on Saturday.
Prediction: Bayern 2-1 Dortmund
Jonathan Harding - Dortmund squad too thin
With neither side looking particularly strong defensively, this will be as goal rich as the first fixture. At home, and knowing in some respects the pressure is off them, Bayern will have the edge.
This is a chance for Dortmund to open a five point gap — the kind of cushion that might allow for a sloppy draw or loss somewhere else — and potentially seal a title they might not otherwise see for a while if Bayern's transfer work is considered.
This Dortmund side is young and only recently put together. Bayern might be creaking and be under the stewardship of a new head coach, but so many players have been here before. They know what is needed, and that will prove the difference on Saturday and down the stretch.
Whatever the result, with six games left after this, the title will likely not be decided by the outcome of this game. Both teams have shown too often this season that they are capable of dropping points unexpectedly. But for Dortmund, it's a chance to land the rarest of things — a psychological blow to Bayern's title hopes.
Prediction: Bayern 3-2 Dortmund
Davis VanOpdorp - Valuable away point for BVB
No, Dortmund are not in top form. Yes, their squad depth, especially in defense, is very thin. But the Bundesliga leaders have a very good chance of getting at least a point from Saturday's Klassiker.
Dortmund could extend their Bundesliga lead to five points with victory in the Klassiker.Image: Imago/DeFodi
To assume Bayern are going to rise to the occasion in the Allianz Arena is risky based on recent results. They put in a drab performance in their second leg against Liverpool in the Champions League last 16 — a match where there was everything to play for. On Wednesday, they were nearly eliminated by second-tier side Heidenheim in the German Cup on their own turf.
Dortmund's potent attack has kept them competitive in many games this season, especially when Marco Reus is in the fold. Just look at the reverse fixture: BVB turned a 2-1 second-half deficit into a 3-2 win. Even if they fall behind in Munich, they are more than capable of at least leveling the score.
They know how important this game is to their season. A draw may seem anti-climatic in this tightly contested title race, but such a result would certainly feel like a victory for Dortmund in the bigger picture.
Prediction: Bayern 2-2 Dortmund
'Der Klassiker' - Memorable moments from Germany's biggest game
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund is one of the most watched fixtures in German football. Here are some of the most memorable meetings between the two, in both the Bundesliga and beyond.
Image: imago/Team 2
10 year wait ended
Although both sides entered the second 'Der Klassiker' of the season out of the title race, with Bayer Leverkusen leading the pack, there was plenty still to play for. Karim Adeymi scored early in the first half before Julian Ryerson wrapped up all three points for Edin Turzic's team as Dortmund claimed their first victory in Munich in 3,641 days.
Image: Tom Weller/dpa/picture alliance
Glimmer of hope
The 2022/23 season was one of the most dramatic in league history. Anthony Modeste's 95th-minute equalizer in October gave Dortmund a point at home against Bayern despite having been 2-0 down. It was a sign of things to come as the two battled it out for the title throughout the season. On a dramatic final day, Dortmund could only manage a draw, handing Bayern the title on goal difference.
Image: Leon Kuegeler/REUTERS
One way street
After their home win in 2018, Dortmund have suffered since in the country's top billing. They lost the next three meetings and despite the best of Jude Bellingham, Marco Reus and Erling Haaland, Dortmund still couldn't stop the Bayern train at the start of the 2020/21 season. After the 3-2 home defeat, a 4-2 loss in Munich followed as the fixture became more and more one sided.
Image: Leon Kuegeler/Pool/REUTERS
No. 99 - a true classic
The 99th Bundesliga edition of 'Der Klassiker lived up to its billing. In late 2018, Bayern twice took the lead through Robert Lewandowski, but Marco Reus twice equaled the score. In the end, Dortmund's summer signing, Paco Alcacer sent the BVB fans home with smiles on their faces as the hosts ran out 3-2 winners. It remains the last time Dortmund won the fixture in the Bundesliga.
Image: Imago Images/T. Bielefeld
No. 98 - just one side showed up
Their encounter on Matchday 28 of the 2017/18 season, was memorable only for Bayern fans. Dortmund were down by three after 23 minutes, and never pulled themselves off the canvas. By the break it was 5-0. Robert Lewandowski waited until the 87th minute to complete his hat trick for a final score of 6-0. Top of the table Bayern were running away with it, 21 points ahead of BVB in third.
Image: Getty Images/S. Widmann
All-German final at Wembley
Bayern Munich have usually had the upper hand, and not just in the Bundesliga. Germany's record champions took home the biggest prize in club football when the two teams met in the 2013 Champions League final at Wembley. Arjen Robben scored the winner as Bayern beat Dortmund 2-1 in one of the most exciting finals in the competition's history.
Image: picture alliance/augenklick
On the way to the treble
Robben also scored the winner as Bayern beat Dortmund 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the German Cup in 2013. Bayern would go on to win the competition, completing the treble - Jupp Heynckes' last hurrah, until he was called back into action for Bayern following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Changing of the guard?
Dortmund, though, did win the 2012 German Cup final, beating Bayern 5-2 to complete the double. At the time, some thought this was a sign that BVB were about succeed Bayern as Germany's top team. But it took until 2017 for Dortmund to add to their silverware collection - with another German Cup. Not until 2018-19 did BVB mount another credible challenge for the Bundesliga title.
Image: imago sportfotodienst
Clean sheet
Jan Koller was actually a striker, but in November 2002, the Czech national team player was pressed into action between the sticks. Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had been sent off after Dortmund had used up all of their subs. Koller kept a clean sheet, at one point stopping a powerful shot from Michael Ballack. Depite his heroics, Bayern won 2-1.
Image: imago/MIS
Meeting of minds
The rivalry between the teams has often been heated. Munich's Brazilian striker Giovane Elber (left) was usually quite laid back. However, agent provocateur Jens Lehmann even managed to get under his skin. Just before this meeting of minds, in another 2002 match, the Dortmund goalkeeper had knocked Elber to the ground.
Image: imago/WEREK
Cry me a river!
Dortmund midfielder Andreas Möller was another player who was capable of getting under an opponent's skin - sometimes with theatrical swan dives. In this 1997 contest, Bayern's Lothar Matthäus seemed to think he was nothing more than a crybaby.
Image: imago/Team 2
Kung fu
No, this isn't Jackie Chan, but Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. In this match in April 1999, "King Kahn" seemed to be close to losing it as he charged way beyond his penalty area and lunged at Dortmund striker Stephane Chapisat with an outstretched right leg. Chapuisat managed to get out of the way in the nick of time and lived to tell the tale.
Image: imago/Team 2
Busy referee
This April 2001 match was perhaps the most heated of all the battles between two clubs. Referee Hartmut Strampe sent off two Bayern players (Bixente Lizarazu, Stefan Effenberg) and one of their Dortmund opponents (Evanilson) while issuing a total of 13 yellow cards. Between all the fouling that went on, Roque Santa Cruz and Fredi Bobic each managed to score to make it a 1-1 draw.
Image: imago/Team 2
How could he miss?
In August of 1986 Dortmund striker Frank Mill walked around Bayern keeper Jean-Marie Pfaff for what looked to be a certain goal. It remains a mystery to this day how he managed to miss the open goal, but he saw his close-range shot hit the post in a game that ended 2-2.
Image: picture-alliance/Sven Simon
Müller-fueled blowout
Gerd "Der Bomber" Müller (second from left) helped lay a beating on Dortmund in November 1971, scoring four goals as Bayern won 11-1. This remains Bayern's highest margin of victory in any Bundesliga game.
