This Saturday, Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena in Der Klassiker. However, unlike in recent seasons, this clash does not appear to have the same level of anticipation and excitement in the lead-up to the game.
With Bayer Leverkusen ten points clear of Der Rekordmeister at the top of the Bundesliga table and a remarkable 20 points above Die Schwarzgelben, for the first time in a long time, the Meisterschale is not on the line. However, there is just as much at stake for both sides, and fireworks should be expected.
Borussia Dortmund have to stay in the top four
While Bayern and Dortmund have failed to keep up with Die Werkself this season, in the Champions League, both sides are flying high, having qualified for the quarterfinals of the competition. Due to their form in the tournament, it is expected that the Bundesliga will receive a fifth Champions League spot.
This would see Dortmund almost certainly qualify for the competition again next season, sitting ten points above Eintracht Frankfurt in sixth. However, this is not something they will want to rely on.
Therefore, for the Black and Yellow’s, every game from now until the end of the season is a must-win, as they find themselves neck and neck with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, with three consecutive wins in the league, BvB seem to be finding their form, and they will look to carry this on in Bavaria on Saturday.
Places at EURO 2024 are up for grabs
Over the past week, Germany have impressed in friendlies against France and the Netherlands, coming away with victories from both games. However, they have been able to achieve this without a plethora of experienced international players.
Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbeck, Julian Brandt, and Niklas Süle are just a handful of players who failed to make Julian Nagelsmann’s latest squad, and missing out on a place at EURO 2024 is now a real possibility.
With Nagelsmann recently confirming that it is unlikely that there will be more than one or two changes to his squad for the summer, there is little time to impress the head coach. Therefore, when Dortmund and Bayern lock horns on Saturday evening, these players will be looking to stand out and force their way back into the Germany side.
Bayern vs Dortmund is no ordinary game, and even when the title is not on the line, there is always something at stake. This is no different for Saturday, and with some players potentially being more motivated than others, sparks can certainly be expected to fly.
GGFN | Will Shopland
