Kimmich & Coman fit for Dortmund - The Klassiker preview

On Saturday, the football nation of Germany will be centred on Dortmund as FC Bayern visit BVB for an eagerly awaited Bundesliga showdown (live text and free Web Radio from 18:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). Victory in Der Klassiker would see Julian Nagelsmann’s side reclaim top spot in the table, at least until Sunday. They can also count on the services of Joshua Kimmich and Kingsley Coman again. We bring you all the important info on the clash with arch-rivals BVB.

The situation for FC Bayern

Bayern travel to Dortmund with wind in their sails. Since the international break, the German record champions have registered comfortable wins over Bayer Leverkusen (4-0) and in the Champions League against Viktoria Plzen (5-0). In the Bundesliga table, however, the Munich men are still among the chasing pack in third place, two points behind top two 1. FC Union Berlin and SC Freiburg, who both play on Sunday away to VfB Stuttgart and Hertha BSC respectively. A win over BVB would send FCB top, at least overnight.

Their recent record against Dortmund should also give Bayern confidence for Der Klassiker - they’ve won each of the last eight competitive meetings against the Black and Yellows! “It’s important that win number nine follows. It’s an important match in terms of the table, psychologically it’s an important match and also to carry on from the last two good results,” said coach Nagelsmann in Friday’s press conference.

All the stats on the clash with Borussia:

The opponents: Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund also got a confidence boost in the Champions League in midweek, thrashing Sevilla 4-1 and taking a big step towards the knockout phase. Edin Terzić’s side suffered a setback last time out in the league, though, losing 3-2 at 1. FC Köln last Saturday. BVB are currently level on points with Bayern in fourth place.

“They’re a very good team, who are technically very strong and generally look to play it to feet but sometimes also play balls over the top, especially when [Anthony] Modeste plays,” described Nagelsmann. “When they defend deeper, they’re always dangerous on the counter. You can’t always tell what they’re going to do in terms of the formation and the defensive line.”

Watch Julian Nagelsmann’s press conference in full (with English translation):

The team news for Dortmund vs. FC Bayern

There was good news on Joshua Kimmich on Friday. The midfielder is over his COVID-19 infection and, after tests, was able to train and will travel to Dortmund. Kingsley Coman will also return to the squad for the first time since his muscle strain. “He’s not yet an option for the starting line-up, but he is an option off the bench. He’s ready and could play 30, 40 minutes,“ revealed Nagelsmann on Bayern’s number 11. However, Thomas Müller is still unable to play due to COVID-19. “Thomas still has a few cold symptoms, so he won’t be in the squad,” confirmed Nagelsmann. As well as that, long-term casualties Bouna Sarr (knee surgery) and Lucas Hernández (muscle tear in adductor) remain sidelined.

In addition to Mahmoud Dahoud, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Mateu Morey and Sébastien Haller, who are out long-term, the hosts are also without Marco Reus. Terzić will wait until after the final training session on Friday to make a decision on goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, Mats Hummels, Marius Wolf and Giovanni Reyna.

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann: “It’s a special game and one we’re looking forward to. Victory is above everything. It will certainly be a tad more measured than the recent encounters. They’re top opponents and it’ll be a very good game. Dortmund also defend deep a lot of the time with good compactness and try to hit you on the break. What’s important in the end is that we win, and we’ll give everything to do that.”

Edin Terzić (Borussia Dortmund): “First and foremost, we need a really good performance. It’s our duty to show from the start that we want to come out on top. We want to carry the crowd with us. We know what our fans expect from us and we want to live up to that. You need courage - courage to stay on the ball but also courage in the one-v-ones. They don’t give you many chances.”

The images from Friday's final training session: