Bayern Munich is set to face Borussia Dortmund in the highly anticipated fixture known as “Der Klassiker.” Beyond the intrinsic appeal of this match-up, which alone warrants viewership, bundesliga.com elucidates compelling reasons to engage with the event on Matchday 27.
1) A classic rivalry
At the onset of the current campaign, anticipation was high for yet another intense title rivalry between two renowned adversaries, particularly following the memorable conclusion of the previous season, which marked one of the most gripping finishes to a Bundesliga championship race in history.
In the closing stages of the preceding season, Borussia Dortmund found themselves in possession of their first Bundesliga title since the 2011/12 campaign. Holding a two-point advantage over Bayern Munich, Dortmund’s path to securing the championship seemed straightforward: a victory at home against Mainz. Any other outcome would necessitate relying on Cologne to upset Bayern, a task easier said than done.
However, Dortmund fell behind by two goals at Signal Iduna Park, while Bayern surged ahead in their match against Cologne. Although the reigning champions were initially equalized, Jamal Musiala’s decisive 89th-minute goal secured their victory. Despite Dortmund managing to level the score at 2-2 against Mainz, it proved insufficient, and Bayern clinched the title for an unprecedented 11th consecutive season.
Presently, both Bayern and Dortmund find themselves unexpectedly challenged by an assertive Bayer Leverkusen, who are poised to etch their name into Bundesliga history with a commanding 10-point lead at the summit. This places Bayern in pursuit mode, and a triumph over Dortmund could provide the necessary momentum to close the gap on the current league leaders. Leverkusen’s recent prolific form, evidenced by their 13 goals in their last two top-flight encounters, suggests they are primed for success.
Although Dortmund may lament their inability to capitalize on the previous season’s achievements, their performance since the start of the year has been commendable. Having suffered only one defeat in 2024, they have secured eight victories out of 12 matches, including triumphs in their last three fixtures across all competitions. As a result, Dortmund are well-positioned to secure a berth in the UEFA Champions League next season. While thwarting Bayern’s title aspirations would be gratifying, even if they do not ultimately dethrone their long-standing rivals, it would undoubtedly be a source of satisfaction for Dortmund.
2) Another Harry Kane Klassiker?
Upon Harry Kane’s transfer to Munich last summer, his primary objective of securing his inaugural trophies became evident. Upon signing, he articulated, “Bayern is one of the preeminent clubs globally, and I have consistently expressed my aspiration to compete and validate my abilities at the apex of my career.” He further remarked, “This institution is distinguished by its unwavering commitment to victory – it is indeed gratifying to be affiliated with it.”
Many observers anticipated swift accolades for Kane, considering his caliber and Bayern’s storied past. However, his debut in the Supercup, occurring scarcely 24 hours post-arrival in Germany, culminated in defeat. Subsequently, an early elimination in the DFB Cup against third-tier Saarbrücken, juxtaposed with the resounding performance of Leverkusen, has altered expectations.
Nevertheless, the England captain has demonstrated remarkable prowess since his arrival at the Allianz Arena. His record-breaking commencement to the season has witnessed Kane netting 31 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances, placing him on course to surpass Robert Lewandowski’s single-season record of 41 goals.
Notably, three of Kane’s goals were secured during his inaugural Klassiker encounter, garnering global attention as Bayern secured a 4-0 victory, just days after the DFB Cup upset. Moreover, he contributed two goals in the second-leg triumph over Lazio, ensuring Bayern’s advancement to the Champions League quarter-finals, thereby sustaining their aspirations in the tournament. Kane, Bayern’s latest No.9, unequivocally persists in his pursuit of glory in the 2023/24 season.
3) The supporting cast
Kane’s introduction to the team significantly elevated Leroy Sané’s performance during the early stages of the 2023/24 season, culminating in an impressive tally of eight goals and four assists by the conclusion of their victory over Dortmund on Matchday 10. Although Sané’s goal-scoring momentum has waned since then, his contribution of eight Bundesliga goals and 11 assists stands as a career-best achievement in the German top-flight. Furthermore, the recent outstanding form displayed by Jamal Musiala, coupled with the return to fitness of Serge Gnabry and the consistent performance of Thomas Müller, who has accumulated eight goals and nine assists in 26 Bundesliga Klassikers to date, has further bolstered the team’s attacking prowess.
In response to Bayern Munich’s formidable offensive lineup, Dortmund has assembled a potent forward contingent that is currently in peak form. Notably, Donyell Malen, the Dutch striker, has emerged as a leading figure with 11 goals, sharing the top spot with Niclas Füllkrug, who is progressively assuming the role of Dortmund’s primary attacking outlet.
Moreover, Jadon Sancho’s recent resurgence, marked by his scoring in each of his last two appearances and a perceived return to his peak performance levels since rejoining the club, adds another dimension to Dortmund’s offensive threat. With the additional talents of Julian Brandt, Marco Reus, and others, Dortmund presents a formidable challenge, providing ample reasons for optimism regarding their prospects.
4) Teenaged trump cards
The Klassiker, as exemplified by the aforementioned individuals, serves as a platform to showcase the pinnacle of football talent. This assertion holds true historically, presently, and prospectively. Notably, the esteemed Müller delivered a stellar performance by securing a remarkable brace during his inaugural appearance in the fixture in 2009. Similarly, the contribution of Dortmund’s prodigious talent, Youssoufa Moukoko, with a decisive goal in the previous season’s encounter, underscores the perpetuating allure of this event. While Moukoko’s impact in the current season may not rival that of Müller’s debut, his potential to emerge as Borussia Dortmund’s savior from the sidelines remains palpable.
This principle is equally applicable to Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel. Despite predominantly featuring as a substitute, the 18-year-old has demonstrated a commendable goal-scoring rate, averaging a goal every 106 minutes in the Bundesliga. Tel’s efficacy extends beyond domestic competition, as evidenced by his contributions of two goals in the UEFA Champions League and one in the opening round of the DFB Cup. Consequently, Tel’s role as a potential game-changer for Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker aligns with the strategic inclination of preserving a trump card until the final moments of the match. Indeed, Tel could prove to be the decisive asset concealed within Bayern’s repertoire.
5) Goals galore
The achievement of goals in matches featuring Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund is almost assured. Following Bayern’s triumph in November, a notable 356 goals have been registered in encounters between these teams, preceding the forthcoming 110th rendition of Bundesliga clashes. Of these, 133 goals have been credited to Dortmund, while Bayern claims 223. This culminates in an average of 3.23 goals per match.
Historically, there have been merely five instances of goalless draws in encounters between these two sides at the highest level of competition, with only two of such occurrences documented since the onset of the current century. Furthermore, in the present Bundesliga season, Dortmund maintains an average of two goals per match, while Bayern leads the division in scoring, having amassed a staggering 78 goals, averaging three goals per 90 minutes of play thus far.