Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will be keen to put their midweek UEFA Champions League defeats behind them on Saturday.
A fixture that never lacks fire or fury, Der Klassiker returns to the spotlight as Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena this Saturday in what could prove to be a decisive moment in the Bundesliga title race.
With just six matchweeks remaining, Bayern Munich sit top of the Bundesliga with 68 points, six ahead of their nearest challengers Bayer Leverkusen. Vincent Kompany’s side come into this clash with momentum after a 3-1 comeback win at Augsburg, where they overturned an early setback and took control after Augsburg were reduced to 10 men in the second half.
The Bavarians have been ruthless going forward, having scored 81 goals this league season, at least 18 more than any other side. Their goal difference of +54 offers a significant cushion over Leverkusen’s +29, meaning they can afford the occasional slip but will want to avoid leaving anything to chance.
However, Bayern Munich’s run-in is not without challenges. After Dortmund, they still have to face three teams in the current top six, FSV Mainz 05, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Mönchengladbach, making Saturday’s clash all the more crucial in setting the tone for the final weeks.
While Kompany’s men have been strong overall, losing just one of their last 14 league games, they have shown a few vulnerabilities recently. In their last seven Bundesliga matches, they have only managed four wins, drawing two and losing once. More tellingly, they have dropped points in two of their last three at home, including a 2-1 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday. Still, Bayern have won nine of their last 12 league fixtures and will enter Der Klassiker as clear favourites on home soil.
Borussia Dortmund arrive in Munich on the back of a 4-1 thrashing of Freiburg, a result that keeps their faint Champions League hopes alive. Now sitting in eighth place with 41 points, Niko Kovac’s men are five points adrift of fourth-placed Mainz 05 and know that a surprise result at the Allianz could reignite their European push.
Despite a solid attacking showing against Freiburg, where Borussia Dortmund generated nearly 3.5 expected goals (xG), defensive fragility remains a concern. Freiburg had 15 shots inside the Dortmund penalty area and missed a number of high-quality chances. That is not a luxury the Black and Yellows can afford against Bayern’s ruthless front line.
The midweek 4-0 demolition at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals was a sobering reminder of Dortmund’s limitations at the highest level. But domestically, they have shown flashes of form, winning four of their last six Bundesliga matches, and three of their past five in all competitions.
Kovac will be encouraged by Dortmund’s away record, which has seen them win five of their last eight league matches on the road. Their last meeting with Bayern also offers hope in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in November, proof that they can go toe-to-toe with the league leaders. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany will once again have to contend with a depleted squad as Bayern Munich prepare for the Klassiker clash with Borussia Dortmund. Several key figures remain on the sidelines, significantly weakening both the defensive and attacking depth of the squad.
In defence, Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano, and Hiroki Ito have all been ruled out due to injuries, robbing Bayern Munich of experience and athleticism at the back. Meanwhile, goalkeeping icon Manuel Neuer remains unavailable, and third-choice keeper Tarek Buchmann is also out of contention. As a result, Jonas Urbig is expected to continue in goal.
Midfield options have also taken a hit, with Aleksandar Pavlovic still sidelined and likely to miss a few more days. In attack, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman are both unavailable, adding further pressure on Harry Kane and the remaining creative outlets to deliver.
Despite the absentees, Bayern are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jonas Urbig will start in goal, shielded by a back four of Konrad Laimer at right-back, Eric Dier and Kim Min-jae as the central pairing, and Josip Stanisic on the left.
In central midfield, Joshua Kimmich will anchor the double pivot alongside Joao Palhinha, offering both control and defensive solidity in the absence of Pavlović. Further forward, Michael Olise will feature on the right wing, with Thomas Müller taking up the No. 10 role just behind the striker and Serge Gnabry operating on the left flank.
Up t]/op, Harry Kane will lead the line as the central striker, carrying Bayern’s primary goal threat. The England captain will look to add to his impressive tally this season and punish a Dortmund defence that has looked vulnerable against elite opposition.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Laimer, Dier, Kim, Stanisic; Kimmich, Palhinha; Olise, Muller, Gnabry; Kane
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund head into Der Klassiker with relatively few injury issues, but two key absentees will impact their structure for the trip to Munich. Nico Schlotterbeck, a regular presence at the heart of the defence, is ruled out due to injury, while midfield workhorse Marcel Sabitzer is also unavailable as he continues to recover from a muscular issue.
With Schlotterbeck missing, manager Niko Kovac is expected to field Emre Can in a deeper defensive role, partnering Waldemar Anton at centre-back. Can, who is typically deployed in midfield, has shown versatility in slotting into defence when required.
In midfield, the absence of Sabitzer opens the door for Pascal Groß to start in the double pivot, likely alongside the youthful and energetic Carney Chukwuemeka, who has grown in influence since his move to Dortmund.
Borussia Dortmund are expected to deploy their standard 4-2-3-1 formation. Gregor Kobel will take his usual place between the sticks, with Julian Ryerson at right-back and Ramy Bensebaini at left-back, providing width and overlapping support on either flank. The central defensive pairing of Emre Can and Waldemar Anton will be tasked with containing Bayern’s prolific front line.
In midfield, Pascal Gross and Carney Chukwuemeka will form the central duo, balancing control, ball distribution, and defensive responsibilities. Further forward, Karim Adeyemi will operate on the right wing, Julian Brandt will serve as the central attacking midfielder, and Jamie Gittens will start from the left.
Leading the line will be Serhou Guirassy, who offers physicality, intelligent movement, and a clinical edge inside the box. With Adeyemi and Bynoe-Gittens providing pace on the flanks, Guirassy will look to exploit any gaps in Bayern’s injury-hit backline and continue his goalscoring form in a high-pressure fixture.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Can, Anton, Bensebaini; Gross, Chukwuemeka; Adeyemi, Brandt, Bynoe-Gittens; Guirassy
Key Stats
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This will be the 137th Bundesliga meeting between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, making it the most-played fixture in German top-flight history. Bayern have suffered more defeats to Dortmund (33) than to any other club.
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Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga matches against Bayern (W1 D3), which is currently the longest unbeaten run against the league leaders among all top-flight teams.
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Over the last six Bundesliga games, Dortmund have taken 12 points (W4, D2), while Bayern have earned 13 points (W4 D1 L1). Only Bayer Leverkusen (15) have collected more during that same span.
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Bayern Munich’s 68 points from 28 games marks their best Bundesliga start since the 2017/18 season (69 points). Historically, all seven teams that reached at least 68 points at this stage went on to win the title, including Bayern Munich on seven occasions.
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Dortmund have scored at least three goals in back-to-back league matches for the first time this season. Since Niko Kovac took charge in February, no Bundesliga side has recorded more shots (147) or produced a higher xG (20.8) than BVB.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
The England skipper’s ability to operate as both a poacher and a deep-lying playmaker makes him a nightmare to mark. His movement between the lines, link-up play with the likes of Thomas Müller, Michael Olise, and Serge Gnabry, and his ruthless finishing make him the spearhead of Bayern’s high-octane attack.
With 81 goals already scored by Bayern Munich this season, Kane has played a massive role in ensuring the team maintains its traditional dominance in front of goal. Against a Borussia Dortmund defence that has often looked shaky under pressure, especially away from home, Kane’s intelligent positioning and composure could be the difference.
Der Klassiker demands big-game players, and Harry Kane, with his leadership, experience, and eye for goal, is the man Bayern Munich will count on to deliver when it matters most.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
The stakes are high for both sides, but for very different reasons. Bayern Munich are marching toward the title but know they cannot afford a slip with Bayer Leverkusen chasing. Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, are desperate to keep their European hopes alive and a result in Munich would be a massive boost. Expect a tense, high-octane battle, but Bayern’s firepower and home advantage could prove decisive.
