BERLIN (AP) — Der Klassiker is living up to its name.
The growing gulf between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund means that the centerpiece of German football has more opportunities for Bayern to demonstrate their superiority than for Dortmund to mount a real challenge to the Bavarian giants.
Dortmund host Bayern on Saturday in a clash between the top two teams in the Bundesliga, but it is unlikely to have an impact on the title race. Bayern already have an eight-point lead and are closing in on another victory. Since Dortmund won back-to-back titles in 2012, Bayern have won 12 of the last 13 games.
This is despite the fact that Dortmund are enjoying their best Bundesliga season since the 2012 title.
Bayern and Dortmund have only lost once in the league. In Dortmund’s case, they beat Bayern 2-1 in a come-from-behind game in Munich in October. Bayern is Surprised by Augsburg at home Last month, when there was an uncharacteristic wobble (Bayern drew). Next match is against Hamburger SV ) Dortmund were able to reduce the gap to six points. And last weekend, Dortmund drew 2-2 with Leipzig, giving Bayern eight points with 11 matches remaining.
Bayern won 19 of their 23 games and only dropped points four times.
Since Bayern defeated Dortmund 2-1 in the 2013 Champions League final in London, Bayern have won 24 of the 37 meetings between the teams in all competitions. Three of Dortmund’s nine wins in these fixtures came in the unimportant German Super Cup, and there were four draws.
major matches
Der Klassiker will rule. Bayern had a full week to prepare, but Dortmund was in Bergamo, Italy, on Wednesday with a painful injury. Lost against Atalanta in the Champions League.
Also on Saturday, Werder Bremen will host Heidenheim in a scrap between the bottom two teams. Bremen lost to relegation rivals St. Pauli last week, making it their third straight defeat under new manager Daniel Tiune and their 13th consecutive winless streak. Heidenheim almost beat Stuttgart before the score was decided at 3-3.. There are 5 points between both teams.
Eintracht Frankfurt hosts Freiburg on Sunday and the home team will be hoping to continue their comeback under the circumstances. New manager Alberto Riera.
Featured players
Bayern star Harry Kane recently celebrated 500 goals For club and country. He has scored 28 goals in 23 Bundesliga games this season, putting him at a pace that threatens Robert Lewandowski’s single-season record of 41 goals set in 2020-21.
Dortmund forward Fabio Silva saved his side from a 2-2 draw with Leipzig last week, scoring his first league goal for the club in his 17th appearance. Saturday would be a good time to score his second goal.
Who is out?
Bayern wing-back Alphonso Davies withdraws from Der Klassik due to injury hamstring injury From the victory against Frankfurt.
Leipzig, who visit Hamburger SV on Sunday, have announced that midfielder Xaver Schlager will be out for “a few weeks” due to an adductor injury.
The left knee injury that Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller sustained in last weekend’s draw with Heidenheim was not as serious as initially feared. It is unclear whether he will be ready in time for Sunday’s game against Wolfsburg.
off the field
Dortmund have warned fans of traffic disruptions before and after Saturday’s match due to a local transport strike. Police measures continue to make it difficult for many Dortmund fans to attend matches. abandon the plan He will be taking part in Wednesday’s Champions League match in Italy.
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