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Der Klassiker returns once again this Saturday as Bayern face Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena (kick-off at 6.30pm CEST, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the 137th competitive edition of the most played fixture in German professional football.
Check out the photos from final training on Friday:
Latest news from Bayern
If Joshua Kimmich has his way, then the Bundesliga’s biggest fixture has come at just the right time for Bayern. “We’ve not got time to be disappointed for two days. What counts now is Dortmund,” the 30-year-old said after Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Inter Milan in the Champions League. It’s a huge week for the team, with Der Klassiker sandwiching the two legs of their European quarter-final tie, but Kimmich insists that is what they have been working towards all season. “On the one hand, you have to enjoy it, but on the other you need to get results,” the Germany captain stated. As eager as they are to make up for things against Inter, the first goal is to pick up vital points in the Bundesliga title race.
“There’s history between the clubs, like how last season’s meeting here went. That’s extra motivation for us. But there’s no lack of motivation or energy either. We’ll need the fans. They’re up for this as well,” affirmed coach Vincent Kompany at his pre-match press conference on Friday. Closest challengers Bayer Leverkusen could cut the gap to three points when they host Union Berlin on Saturday afternoon. “We need every point in the league. Dortmund have a very good squad. It’ll be a top Bundesliga game. There’s pressure on this,” added Thomas Müller shortly the Inter first leg.
Read more from Kompany and Christoph Freund’s pre-match press conference here:
Opponent: Borussia Dortmund
This week didn’t go well for Dortmund in Europe either as they lost their Champions League quarter-final first leg 4-0 in Barcelona. It was a substantial blow to the momentum that Niko Kovac’s side had gained from back-to-back Bundesliga wins over Mainz (3-1) and at Freiburg (4-1). Last season’s Champions League finalists also face an uphill challenge to qualify for the competition again, coming into Matchday 29 in eighth place and five points off the top four. Borussia know they can’t afford many more slips if they are to play in Europe again next year.
“We need to be ready, to run a lot and to really take the moments we get. It’s then about everyone being brave and getting forward. If you try to just defend for 90 minutes, then it’s difficult,” Kovac said at his pre-match press conference, while also calling for his players to be “clinical” in front of goal.
Read up on the facts ahead of Der Klassiker:
Team news
“Aleksandar Pavlovic and Kingsley Coman will train today and do some tests, but I’m assuming there will be no changes to the squad to face Dortmund,” said Kompany on Friday. It means the pair will again miss out and join Manuel Neuer (calf), Alphonso Davies (cruciate ligament), Dayot Upamecano (knee), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal) and Jamal Musiala (hamstring) in a watching brief.
Dortmund have a full squad available for their trip to Munich apart from Nico Schlotterbeck and Marcel Sabitzer (both knee). Midfielder Pascal Groß is available after serving a suspension in Europe.
A look at the special rivalry between Bayern and Dortmund:
What the coaches say
I think it’s good that there’s added spice to these games, that they’re made to be special. We need to take that importance into our play tomorrow.
Vincent Kompany
We need to give 100 percent tomorrow. We need to play with a different mentality than we did in Barcelona. That’s the only way to increase the probability of us winning against a title hopeful.
Niko Kovac (Borussia Dortmund)
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