Der Klassiker Preview: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund set for high-stakes battle

Though the league, not to mention the rivalry, has been dominated by one staff over the previous decade, this iteration of the historic Der Klassiker between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich may very well be one for the ages.

The Bundesliga, as shouldn’t be too unusual, has been dominated by Bayern Munich over the previous decade, with the Bavarians profitable the previous 10 championships. The prior two titles in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 belong to Borussia Dortmund, and after seeing one other staff on the prime of the desk, Bayern determined sufficient was sufficient.

Their run of success is unprecedented, and on the outset of the yr, it was onerous to think about it ending anytime quickly. However, with the league coming into Matchday 26, the end result of this single recreation may doubtlessly spell the top to the longest streak of nationwide league titles in any of the 5 main leagues throughout European soccer.

Moreover, this specific matchup brings with it extra context than simply the Bundesliga title race.

Here are 4 storylines to keep watch over throughout probably the most extremely anticipated Der Klassiker in recent times which you’ll be able to watch on Sportsnet ONE and SN NOW at 12:30 p.m. ET.

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1. The hunted has turn into the hunter

“It’s a bad feeling at first because you need to find your feet when you have been flipped from the hunted to the hunter,” Bayern captain Thomas Müller mentioned in an interview with Bundesliga.com. “We are used to performing below stress, however there’s no assure. It’s necessary to not really feel secure and to have these sorts of feelings in your abdomen. 

At the highest of the Bundesliga desk, you’ll discover a sight that hasn’t been seen since Aug. 23, 2019: first place – Borussia Dortmund. For three and a half years Dortmund has been wanting up on the summit.

The Bundesliga is within the midst of one of many closest title races in latest reminiscence, pitting the 2 bitter foes collectively as soon as extra with just one level separating the 2 squads (Dortmund – 53, Bayern – 52).

There’s a strong argument to be made that whoever wins on Saturday will go on to raise the Meisterschale this season, particularly when contemplating the type of the 2 groups.

So far, 2023 has belonged to Dortmund. The flip of the calendar has invigorated the staff as they’ve picked up 28 of a potential 30 factors because the New Year.

Die Schwarzgelben is getting hotter than sizzling on the proper time. Their most up-to-date consequence earlier than heading into the worldwide break was a 6-1 battering of FC Köln, making up for the 2-2 tie within the Revierderby in opposition to Schalke the week prior.

Their offence has been distinctive in 2023, scoring probably the most targets (30) and taking probably the most photographs (165) within the German league.

Bayern in the meantime has struggled, accumulating solely 18 of a potential 30 factors. Their nine-point lead within the standings has lengthy since evaporated, leaving room for the recent northern squad to take their one-point lead.

Points-wise, with the Bavarians solely having earned 52 in 25 video games, that is the worst season Bayern has had in 11 years (51 factors in 25 video games in 2011-2012).

They come into this recreation having misplaced and drawn their final two video games. The former, a 2-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, is particularly notable. It marks the primary time this season that they’ve misplaced a recreation after taking the lead.

Moreover, usually a sound defensive staff, they’ve struggled to maintain the ball out of the online this calendar yr, permitting 14 targets in 10 video games as in comparison with 13 targets in 15 within the first half of the season.

Bayern, for the primary time in over a decade, look susceptible. If Dortmund handle to get the win right here, give themselves a four-point cushion on the prime, then proceed their run of kind, the unprecedented dominance of their bitter rivals may come to an finish. However, if Bayern handle to stymie their poor kind and decide up a win right here, who is aware of how the sensation within the locker room might shift.

“We are used to performing under pressure, but there’s no guarantee. It’s important to not feel safe and to have these kinds of emotions in your stomach,” mentioned Müller. “The importance of this game is maybe much higher than it has been in previous years because of the situation.”

2. Tuchel’s first recreation again – A return to Der Klassiker

In a surprising flip of occasions, Bayern is getting back from the worldwide break with a brand new supervisor on the helm – Thomas Tuchel.

However, Tuchel isn’t precisely a brand new participant on this rivalry. The Bavarian coach minimize his enamel in Der Klassiker whereas managing Borussia Dortmund from 2015-2017.

After their surprising 2-1 loss to Leverkusen on matchday 25, Bayern, a membership as ruthless as they’re profitable, fired supervisor Julian Nagelsmann in his third yr with the staff.

While rumours about Nagelsmann’s sacking swirl by means of the net – from locker room disagreements with Sadio Mane to points concerning the former supervisor’s girlfriend working for one among Germany’s largest tabloid magazines Bild – Tuchel must climate the storm and study a brand new locker room forward of what would be the most pivotal recreation of their marketing campaign.

If the previous Dortmund supervisor is ready to steer the ship, what seems like a panic transfer for Bayern within the midst of a disappointing season may become a stroke of genius.

If not, then the shocked reactions of stars like Matthijs de Ligt and Leon Goretzka may turn into a shared sentiment all through the locker room, and a poor season may flip right into a catastrophe.

Having solely been appointed on Monday, Tuchel doesn’t have a lot time to put in his scheme and get to know his gamers. Adding onto that situation is the truth that most of his staff is away on worldwide obligation, with most not returning to Munich till the top of the week.

Bayern does have a strong historical past when wanting on the first recreation of newly appointed managers. The final time {that a} new rent misplaced their debut Bundesliga recreation was in 1994 when membership legend Franz Beckenbauer took the reins.

Moreover, when Hansi Flick grew to become the membership’s interim head coach in 2019, his squad earned a 4-0 demolition of Dortmund in Der Klassiker in his first recreation.

On Saturday, Tuchel will get one other shot on the historic rivalry, this time from the opposite bench. He presently has a 1-1-2 (W-D-L) file within the recreation.

Though he by no means received a league title with Dortmund, he has the prospect to get his palms on the prized {hardware} this season with Bayern and successfully relegate his former squad to a different yr because the little brother.

3. Dortmund’s fearsome – however injured – assault

Opposite Tuchel is Edin Terzic. Having grown up in Menden (a city close to Dortmund) supporting the staff he now manages, he’s no stranger to the rivalry.

He managed the staff in an interim capability in the course of the 2020-21 season after Lucien Favre was sacked, and bought blitzed by Bayern in his introduction to Der Klassiker, shedding 4-2.

The first iteration earlier this season got here on matchday 9 and resulted in a 2-2 draw after his facet was down 2-0 at half-time. That consequence marked the primary time since 2006 that Dortmund had picked up factors in opposition to Bayern after being two targets down.

During this marketing campaign, Dortmund storming groups with targets hasn’t been unusual. Their power below Terzic lies of their offence, scoring probably the most targets within the Bundesliga on this calendar yr. They possess the highest anticipated targets within the league in 2023 with 21.01 and have the most important separation between targets and anticipated targets (8.99).

Their velocity has been one thing to behold, with star 21-year-old Karim Adeyemi taking the cake, having set the all-time Bundesliga mark for quickest velocity recorded at 36.65 km/h.

However, Adeyemi is vulnerable to lacking the lean after having picked up a hamstring damage in opposition to Hertha Berlin again in February.

Dortmund’s prized attacking core may very well be depleted for the matchup, with main goalscorer Julian Brandt (hamstring), Youssoufa Moukoko (ankle) and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (shoulder) all uncertain forward of Saturday.

Taking their place although aren’t names to be scoffed at. Captain Marco Reus is about to take the sector for his fifteenth Der Klassiker, Striker Sébastien Haller would maintain down the fort by means of the center and the ever-sought-after Jude Bellingham will nonetheless be round to feed attractive passes to the lads up entrance.

Bayern is coping with damage issues of their very own, as forwards Jamal Musiala (hamstring) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (again) are questionable for the sport.

4. Historical tidbits for a historic bout

– Since Dortmund final received the Bundesliga in 2012, the 2 squads have performed 21 league video games: Bayern Munich 14 wins, Borussia Dortmund three wins, 4 attracts

– Bayern has received seven of the final eight matchups with a mixed aim differential of +16. The seven consecutive wins earlier than their draw earlier this season was the longest-ever win streak Bayern has had over Dortmund.

– This recreation shall be performed on the Allianz Arena in Munich. Bayern has received the final eight Der Klassikers performed within the venue.

– Additionally, of their time within the Bundesliga, Dortmund has solely had an extended away shedding streak in opposition to Werder Bremen from 1979-1989

– This is the nineteenth time the groups face one another whereas sitting first and second respectively within the Bundesliga. However, that is solely the fifth time that it happens whereas Dortmund are the staff in first. The final time this occurred was on matchday 28 of the 2018-2019 season and Bayern got here away with a 5-0 victory.

– While Tuchel was answerable for Dortmund, he led the staff to a 63 per cent win ratio. The solely different coach to ever do this with the membership is Edin Terzic.

Key Players:

Bayern Munich – Alphonso Davies, Defender

To the dismay of Bayern followers in addition to Canadian followers, famous person left-back Alphonso Davies suffered an damage halfway by means of the primary iteration of Der Klassiker this yr. The dynamic defender and creator needed to be carried off the sector by medical employees proper after half-time. Bayern then proceeded to concede two late targets within the 74th and 5 minutes into added time.

With Davies wholesome and in kind, can a full outing from the speedster assist shut down the blistering tempo and inventive onslaught from Dortmund?

Borussia Dortmund – Gregor Kobel, Goalkeeper

Kobel has missed the final two video games for Dortmund resulting from a thigh damage, nonetheless, the 25-year-old made it clear that he’s match for the match in Munich and expects to play. With stalwart Manuel Neuer out for Bayern, Dortmund may possess the benefit between the woodwork for the primary time in many years. He’s presently tied for third within the Bundesliga with eight clear sheets and has been a stabilizing presence for a staff that has lacked one from his place in recent times.

The Swiss keeper can also be a reputation Premier League followers ought to keep watch over, as he’s garnered curiosity from each Manchester United and Chelsea.