Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich preview
Bayern Munich have dominated the Bundesliga ever since its inception. However, in the past decade, they have set a bar so high that no team has been able to dethrone them from the top of the pedestal. However, the only team that has, for sporadic periods, challenged them is Borussia Dortmund. They came very close last season but choked in the final game as they drew against Mainz, which opened the door for Bayern, who won their final game to pip them to the title.
This has changed this season with the rise of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen and VFB Stuttgart led by the top scorer Serhou Guirassy, also in the hunt to end Bayern’s reign at the top finally.
Despite this, it is the clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund that attracts the highest number of eyeballs. Dubbed as Der Klassiker, the clash has given some of the most memorable games in German league history.
The stakes are different this time as a win will not only take them above the defending champions but will give a massive boost to Leverkusen and Stuttgart to build a lead over Bayern and hopefully put them under pressure.
Bayern Munich have not started the season badly winning seven and drawing two. This included an 8-0 demolition of Darmstadt. However, they have also shown vulnerabilities, which was clearly evident in the second round of the DFB Pokal, where they lost to Saarbrucken, a team that plays in the third tier of the German football system.
Tuchle played much of his bench strength players in the game but still lost, which has led to criticism from fans and former players alike over the team’s capabilities to sustain a multi-tournament challenge to win trophies.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund have also made a strong start to the season winning six and drawing three. Edin Terzic’s men were on a five-game winning streak before a 3-3 draw away to Eintracht Frankfurt ended it.
However, die Schwarzgelben now have the squad that, on its day, can get the better of Bayern Munich. And it is the perfect moment to catch the Bavarians off guard days after one of the worst displays in their club history.
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich lineups
Borussia Dortmund lineup
One of the biggest advantages that Dortmund have is they have an injury-free squad, allowing them to field their strongest 11. And Terzic will flex his muscles by deploying the perfect tactics that could get the better of Bayern Munich.
In goal, Gregor Kobel will start behind a four-man backline of Julian Ryerson, Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Sule, and Marius Wolf. Felix Nmecha and Emre Can will form a double pivot, with Marco Reus, Julian Brandt, and Giovanni Reyna playing ahead of him. Youssoufa Moukoko will play as the lone striker.
Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup: Kobel; Ryerson, Schlotterbeck, Wolf; Nmecha, Can; Reyna, Brandt, Reus; Moukoko
Bayern Munich lineup
The defeat against Saarbrucken has ringed alarm bells at Allianz Arena, and only a dominating performance against Dortmund will help alleviate some of those fears. This means that all of the attacking stars will return for the game. Tuchel did name a strong defence for the DFB Pokal consisting of Alphonso Davies, Min Jae Kim, Matthijs de Ligt, and Bruno Sarr. Dayot Upamecano and Noussair Mazraoui will replace De Ligt and Sarr.
Ahead of them will be Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer, who will replace the suspended Joshua Kimmich. In attack, Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, and Kingsley Coman will play behind Harry Kane, who already has scored 12 goals this season.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup: Neuer; Davies, Min Jae, Upamecano, Mazraoui; Goretzka, Laimar; Sane, Musiala, Coman; Kane
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich predictions
While Bayern Munich have gone as favourites in most of the recent Der Klassiker, the situation is different now. With Leverkusen and Stuttgart performing brilliantly, Bayern, for the first time in over a decade, are finding themselves in a proper slugfest for the Bundesliga title.
This means that, unlike previous seasons, they can’t afford a slow start to the season. This means that they will need to be at their best. While Dortmund are in form and have the home support, Bayern have the experience of turning up to such games.
FootTheBall predicts a 2-2 draw.