Bayern Munich will compete against Borussia Dortmund in a pivotal Der Klassiker match.
Team Form
Bayern Munich
Following a downturn that saw Julian Nagelsmann ruthlessly sacked and replaced by ex-Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, the champions trail their visitors by one point in the table.
Bayern’s shaky form was highlighted by a recent 2-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen, which saw them drop more points in ten games than in 15 matches before the winter break. These on-field concerns were compounded by off-field issues, leading to Nagelsmann’s dismissal.
Despite the setbacks, Bayern’s goal-scoring record remains impressive, with 72 goals in all competitions this season. They have only failed to score once in 37 games, a testament to the team’s attacking prowess.
Bayern’s home form has also been solid, as they remain unbeaten at the Allianz Arena. Additionally, they are Germany’s last remaining representative in the Champions League, a competition that Tuchel has experience in.
Bayern Munich Bundesliga Form: L W W W L
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund ended March on a high note, securing their place at the top of the Bundesliga table for the first time since 2019 with a resounding 6-1 victory over Koln.
Captain Marco Reus also made club history during the match by becoming the team’s all-time top scorer in the Bundesliga, surpassing Michael Zorc’s record.
Dortmund’s unbeaten run in the league now stands at ten matches, including an impressive nine wins and a draw in the Revierderby. They have scored the most goals in the division this season, with an impressive tally of 30 in 2023. Over the same period, they accumulated ten more points than their opponents on Saturday.
Despite their excellent form, Dortmund will need to maintain their focus if they are to continue their push for the Meisterschale, given Bayern Munich’s recent dominance of the Bundesliga over the past decade. Dortmund’s recent exit from the Champions League is also a reminder of the team’s shortcomings on the biggest stage.
Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga Form: W W W D W
Squad Report
Bayern Munich
Thomas Tuchel, the current manager of Bayern Munich, has expressed concerns over the fitness of midfielder Jamal Musiala ahead of their upcoming match.
Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer, who have been out with long-term injuries, are definitely out of contention. However, apart from these two players, Tuchel has a full squad for the upcoming match.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund will have to do without two of their teenage stars, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Youssoufa Moukoko, for their upcoming match. However, there is a possibility that Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt could make their return to the squad. Both players have been sidelined with injuries but may be fit enough to feature in the match at some point.
Bayern Munich’s expected starting lineup:
Sommer; Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt; Cancelo, Kimmich, Goretzka, Davies; Sane, Muller; Choupo-Moting
Borussia Dortmund’s expected starting lineup:
Kobel; Wolf, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Bellingham, Can, Guerreiro; Brandt, Haller, Reus
Head to Head
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have faced each other 49 times. Out of these matches, Bayern Munich emerged victorious in 27, while Borussia Dortmund won 13. Nine matches have ended in a draw.
Tuchel’s team has won four out of the last five meetings between the two sides. Earlier this season, the two teams faced an exciting encounter ending in a 2-2 draw.
Time, Date & Venue
Date: Saturday, April 1
Time: 04:30 pm, UTC
Venue: Allianz Arena Stadium, Munich
Prediction
Matches with high stakes like this one often end up in a cautious and uneventful stalemate. However, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are known for their attacking style of play, and we could see a high-scoring game as a result.
With the mindset of a big-time club, Bayern Munich is well-equipped to come out on top and swing the title race in their favour. However, it won’t be without a fair share of excitement and drama.
