Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: 3 things to watch in Der Klassiker
Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena tomorrow for a mouth-watering Der Klassiker encounter in the Bundesliga. Here are three things to watch in the clash:
1) Litmus test of BVB's title credentials
Borussia Dortmund have made the best start to a Bundesliga season in 11 years but their ability to win the Meisterschale altogether will be tested here, against the very cream of the crop. The BVB are coming into the fixture on the back of three consecutive wins which should give them the confidence to face their arch-rivals, but they have been unconvincing, one-goal margin wins.
By contrast, the Bavarians have continued to dismantle opponents with ruthless ease, such as the 7-0 drubbing of Union Berlin and the 6-1 thumping of RB Leipzig. The holders had served them a harsh reality check in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup back in August, but it will be interesting to see how much have Dortmund learnt from that defeat, two months ago.
2) Selection headache for Niko Kovac
Despite a handful of new signings over the summer, Niko Kovac is yet to nail down a proper starting XI at Dortmund this season. He's often rotated the midfield and one position in defense - that of Joane Gadou with Ramy Bensebaini - as the BVB are yet to find stability and organization.
Jobe Bellingham has made a strong case to start after back-to-back assists, but Joey Veerman is impossible to leave out given how much control he exerts in their attacking plays. Dortmund also clinically unlock defenses when Serhou Guirassy and Fabio Silva are started togeter.
Although Bensebaini is available for selection here, Joane Gadou's pace on the break and on-the-ball potential also makes him vital on the left side of Dortmund's three-man backline. This might be Kovac's most crucial team selection of the Bundesliga season yet.
3) Unstoppable force meets immovable object
Bayern Munich command the best attacking vanguard in the Bundesliga right now after scoring 25 times from seven games while Borussia Dortmund have conceded the least number of goals in the competition so far this season with just four, while keeping a clean sheet in five of their seven games.
To spice things up, both teams are level on points too, making for an exciting top-of-the-table clash. While the Bavarians will rely on the peerless Harry Kane, now a Ballon d'Or winner, and his chief supplier Michael Olise, the BVB's back-three of Nico Schlotterbeck, Waldemar Anton and Joane Gadou have the monumental task of withstanding their onslaught.
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