The Signal Iduna Park will be the venue for this year’s first installment of “Der Klassiker” as an out-of-form Bayern Munich, with a solitary win in the last five outings, travel to face an inconsistent Borussia Dortmund on Saturday at 17:30 GMT.
Match Preview
Can Borussia Dortmund Bounce Back to Winning Ways?
Dortmund players go into this match on the back of a surprising 3-2 reverse away to Koln in their last Bundesliga match last Saturday. They will be looking to bounce back and get their keep in touch with the pacesetters at the top of the league.
Dortmund will focus on their defense and attack shapes against a dangerous Bayern Munich side. They will seek to tighten their defense while retaining their attacking threat on Saturday.
Edin Terzić will be focused on maintaining the energy levels, sharpness, and discipline of his charges, at the start of this grueling schedule ahead of the World Cup.
Can Bayern Munich make it Two Consecutive Wins in the Bundesliga?
Bayern Munich are looking to regain their consistency early in the season as they look to get their hunt for the 11th consecutive Bundesliga back on track.
Julian Nagelsmann has seen his side drop points in three draws and one defeat over their last eight matches in the league. He will be looking to restore the ruthlessness that has characterized the Bavarians in recent years.
Bayern will also seek to maintain a dynamic and dominant performance against Dortmund as they seek to take the three points they need to bolster their chances at the top-end of the Bundesliga log.
Form Guide
Borussia Dortmund
Edin Terzić’s charges have won five times and lost three times in their opening eight outings in the Bundesliga. This means that they have collected 15 points out of the available 24, and they sit 4th on the table, two points behind league leaders Union Berlin.
In this run, they have scored 11 goals and conceded 10 in the process. The focus for Edin Terzić is on bolstering the defensive structure of Dortmund while retaining their attacking threat.
Dortmund have won three times and lost twice in their last five outings in the Bundesliga; they will be looking to bolster their consistency.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have started their season inconsistently; they have won four times, drawn three times, and lost once across the eight opening matches in the Bundesliga.
They have been prolific in front of goal; they have scored 23 goals while conceding six times. This gives them the best goal difference in the Bundesliga.
Julian Nagelsmann’s charges have had problems with keeping clean sheets. In the three draws that they have had, they have conceded goals. These stalemates came in matches at home to Monchengladbach (1-1), away to Union Berlin (1-1), and at home to VfB Stuttgart (2-2).
Possible Starting Lineups
Borussia Dortmund
Meyer; R. Guerreiro, N. Schlotterbeck, N. Sule, T. Meunier; S. Ozcan, J. Bellingham; D. Malen, J. Drandt, K. Adeyemi; A. Modeste
Bayern Munich
Neuer; B. Pavard, D. Upamecano, M. de Ligt, A. Davies; J. Kimmich, M. Sabitzer; L. Sane, S. Mane; J. Musiala, T. Muller
Players to Watch
J. Bellingham
The 19-year-old midfielder has been integral to Dortmund’s season, appearing in all eight matches this season in the Bundesliga, and making a further 2 appearances in their Champions League group-stage campaign scoring twice.
Bellingham is dynamic and energetic in his approach. His work rate is essential in closing down space in midfield and winning back possession. His passing range is crucial in starting attacks. His energy allows him to arrive in the danger zones to create chances or grab goals.
Bellingham will be crucial for Dortmund in the clash with Bayern on Saturday.
S. Mane
With four goals in eight Bundesliga appearances, Sadio Mane has made a good start to his life in the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich.
The 30-year-old is still getting used to playing for this Bayern team and the new manager Julian Nagelsmann. However, he has shown enough to conclude that he is an integral part of this Bayern attack.
Mane will be crucial for Bayern as they seek to win Der Klassiker.
Prediction
Dortmund will focus on a high-energy and high-pressing match designed to put pressure on Bayern, win the ball, and pose an attacking threat.
Bayern will look to be dominant on the ball and squeeze the home side into their half and create chances through quick passing.
Bayern are the favorites to win the match and the three points.
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