Despite both sides being in the shadow of Xavi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, there’s still plenty to play for when Bayern Munich take on Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Leverkusen are 10 points ahead with eight games remaining and are on course to win their first Bundesliga title. If Leverkusen beat Hoffenheim at home earlier on Saturday, second-placed Bayern could be 13 points behind at kick-off. Leverkusen’s win would mark the first time since 2009 and the fifth time in the past three decades that Bayern and Dortmund have failed to reach the top of the table.
Saturday’s game between traditional strong teams remains crucial for both sides.
Bayern are at risk of losing at home to their biggest domestic rivals for the first time since 2014.
They will also hope to maintain momentum ahead of a Champions League quarter-final away to Arsenal in early April, the last piece of silverware this trophy-hungry club can reasonably look forward to this season.
While Bayern’s pride may be at risk, fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund risks missing out on next season’s Champions League, with RB Leipzig a point behind.
For a club that relies heavily on Champions League revenue, missing out on the top four could have a huge impact on Dortmund.
Former Bayern captain Philipp Lahm says fireworks are guaranteed on Saturday.
“The rivalry between Dortmund and Bayern has intensified. This is the Bundesliga, this is Saturday’s game,” Lahm told AFP.
“A lot is at stake, especially for Dortmund because the Champions League is the minimum they want to achieve.”
Lahm welcomed Leverkusen’s challenge, saying: “The Bundesliga is exciting again and it’s very, very important that someone can push or even take over Bayern.”
In an illustrious career of 659 games, Lahm faced Dortmund more than any other opponent. In the 2013 Champions League final, he served as captain and led Bayern to a 2-1 victory over their opponents.
Since that match, Bayern has won 23 of the 32 games the two clubs have faced.
Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus told AFP he is backing his former club to continue their recent dominance.
“Bayern Munich’s title race is over. This game is more important for Dortmund, but Bayern’s DNA is to win every game – and they will do it again.”
One to watch: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Harry Kane has shaken off an ankle injury that kept him out of England’s March friendlies and is now fit and ready to face Borussia Dortmund.
In November, Kane scored a hat-trick against the home side in his first appearance in the ‘Klassiker’ competition.
Kane has scored 31 goals in 26 league games this season.
Dortmund coach Edin Terzic praised the striker on Thursday, telling reporters “Harry Kane has done well in his first season at Bayern.
“As we’ve seen firsthand, he’s been very important to them in attack. He’s scored as many goals as our top three strikers combined.”
key statistics
70 – Leverkusen have 70 points with eight games remaining. Last year, Bayern and Dortmund were tied with 71 points after 34 games, with the Bavarians claiming the title on goal difference.
56 – Third-placed Stuttgart have 56 points after 26 games. In the 2006-07 season, Stuttgart won the championship with 70 points after 34 games.
13 – Struggling Darmstadt have managed just 13 points this season, just three more than the 10 they achieved, their worst ever result achieved by one-season wonder Tasmania Berlin in 1965-66 .
Fixtures (1430 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Saturday
Monchengladbach vs. Freiburg, Frankfurt vs. Union Berlin, Leverkusen vs. Hoffenheim, Werder Bremen vs. Wolfsburg, Leipzig vs. Mainz, Bayern Munich vs. Dortmund (1730)
Sunday
Augsburg in Cologne, Stuttgart in Heidenheim (1630), Bochum in Darmstadt (1830)
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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