Last stand at Signal Iduna Park: Dortmund’s final shot at halting Bayern’s title march
Saturday’s Bundesliga action closes out with a title-defining clash between bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Signal Iduna Park sets the stage for the latest edition of the iconic Der Klassiker, which could be Dortmund’s final chance to return to the title race.
Indeed, eight points separate the sides ahead of the kick-off, making it a must-win clash for the hosts, who have run riot in the league since their last meeting with Vincent Kompany’s side.
Goals from Harry Kane and Michael Olise on either side of half-time propelled the reigning holders to a hard-earned 2-1 victory in October’s reverse fixture at the Allianz Arena.
That loss served as a wake-up call for Die Borussen, with Niko Kovac’s side going unbeaten in all 16 top-flight outings since the Munich heartbreak (W11, D5) – the longest current undefeated run across Europe’s top-five leagues.
However, this crucial showdown doesn’t come at an opportune moment for the eight-time German champions, as they bowed out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Despite boasting a two-goal lead after the first leg, Dortmund suffered an embarrassing 4-1 defeat in Bergamo, crashing out of the competition in dramatic fashion and denting their momentum ahead of this season-defining Klassiker.
Must-win affair
Dortmund’s hopes of winning their first Bundesliga title since 2011/12 rest on claiming bragging rights in this heavyweight clash, while a potential slip-up is likely to all but extinguish their fading championship aspirations.
Even so, Kovac’s men seem destined to improve on last season’s fourth-place finish, as they boast a six-point lead over third-placed TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga standings.
Indeed, it would mark their first runner-up finish since the heartbreaking 2022/23 campaign, when Bayern pipped them to the Meisterschale on goal difference after a dramatic final weekend.
Still, Kovac has higher ambitions and will be looking to upset his former club on Saturday, perhaps drawing confidence from Dortmund’s formidable home form in the Bundesliga.
Die Borussen remain the only side in Germany’s top flight yet to taste defeat on home turf this season (W9, D2), largely thanks to their almost impregnable backline.
Kovac’s lads have conceded just eight goals in 11 home league outings, at least four fewer than any other team in the division, remarkably keeping seven clean sheets in the process.
Chance to seal the deal
If there’s a team capable of breaching Dortmund’s home fortress, it’s Bayern.
Vying for a record-extending 35th league title, the Bavarians head into one of the most famous Bundesliga fixtures as the best travelling side in the division.
Kompany’s men have dropped points only twice on the road all season and have yet to lose an away league match (W9, D2), not to mention their intimidating scoring record.
With 37 goals from just 11 away league games, they have scored at least 11 more goals than any other Bundesliga outfit, highlighting the magnitude of the task Dortmund’s defence is about to face.
Ominously for the hosts, the record-time German champions have been equally impressive at the back, conceding just nine goals in those 11 encounters.
Time for buck negative trend
Now would be a perfect time for Dortmund to end their winless drought in this fixture.
They have failed to beat Bayern in seven consecutive home league clashes (D2, L5) since a 3-2 win in November 2018, including a 1-1 draw last season.
However, with the title race on the line and their home crowd set to create a raucous atmosphere, Die Borussen could scarcely ask for greater motivation.
Anything less than victory would leave their championship dreams hanging by a thread.
Given the stakes, Kovac is likely to opt for a more cautious approach, as Dortmund cannot afford a mistake if they’re to stay within touching distance.