Why Bayern against Borussia Dortmund is always huge in the title race

Bayern against Borussia Dortmund is now the standout fixture on the German football calendar, often pitting first against second. However, things were very different when the first such top-of-the-table encounter happened back in March 1966. BVB were leading the way and hosted second-placed Bayern at the Stadion Rote Erde. It was in fact the Bavarians’ first visit to Dortmund, having only just gained promotion to the Bundesliga the previous summer.

However, a team featuring the up-and-coming trio of Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Sepp Maier made a good account of themselves in their maiden top-flight season and could’ve taken the lead off Dortmund with a win. But BVB put a stop to any (red) Munich ambitions thanks to a brace from Lothar Emmerich and a third from Siggi Held. Ultimately, though, it meant little for Borussia as they failed to hold their position and were beaten to the title by 1860. Not everything was better in the old days…

Will Saturday set the course for 2025/26?

That also makes the game 60 years ago a statistical outlier. Bayern and Dortmund have since met each other 18 more times in the Bundesliga when occupying the top two positions, and every time one of the two has gone on to lift the Meisterschale. This Saturday’s encounter at the Allianz Arena will the first such top-of-the-table clash for around two and a half years. Does it mean we’ll be watching Germany’s next champions in action?

It’s obviously too early to suggest such a thing. Thanks to Uli Hoeneß, the phrase “Santa was never the Easter Bunny” is a well-known phrase in Bayern circles. That doesn’t mean, however, that Vincent Kompany isn’t aware of the significance of this game and the current state of play. “We’ve got the motivation for this Klassiker. It’s first against second, both still undefeated [this season]. We’re looking forward to the match,” said the Belgian. “We’re at home at the Allianz Arena in front of our fans and are really, really up for this game. Hopefully it’ll be a good game for the fans and a good result for us,” he added.

Whether the team leading or in hot pursuit, Bayern have always proven in recent years against Dortmund that they are there when it matters. Of the last seven Klassikers where both teams occupied the top two in the table, Bayern have won them all. In total, it’s 11 wins out of 19 such fixtures (D3, L5). And if the Reds were to keep up that record against the Black and Yellows, will the fans start dreaming of another title? Either way, a win in this fixture is always a special feeling.

Read up on the stats ahead of the match: