What qualities Dortmund bring to top-of-the-table clash against Bayern

Borussia Dortmund were a whisker away from taking more than one point away from Leipzig last Saturday. “We even had the chance at the end to win the game,” bemoaned BVB coach Niko Kovač, referring to the big opportunity for Julian Brandt, who almost completely turned the scoreline on its head just three minutes after Fábio Silva’s equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time. He was denied by RB goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, though. But even though a win was possible, the Dortmund camp were pleased with the point gained. Having been 2-0 down at the break, many people would’ve written them off. “What happened in the second half was mentality,” continued Kovač. “It’s class, it’s bouncing back. That’s why we deserved the point.”

It wasn’t the first time this season that BVB have hauled themselves back into a match. The questions over Dortmund’s lack of character have long been answered, not least because they’ve gained points through goals in stoppage time in four Bundesliga games in 2025/26. Overall, the Black-and-Yellows are unbeaten in 16 games in the league – longer than anyone else in the German top flight. Like FC Bayern, they’ve suffered just one defeat in the Bundesliga all season – although that came in the previous meeting between the two teams on Matchday 7 (2-1), which was crucial to the eight-point advantage that the record champions have going into Saturday’s return match.

Defensively strong despite injuries

Nevertheless, Dortmund have been Bayern’s closest challengers since Matchday 15. This new consistency is in no small part the work of coach Kovač, whose more pragmatic approach has provided BVB with defensive stability over the sometimes spectacular attacking football of recent years. The Black-and-Yellows have conceded the second-fewest goals (22) in the current Bundesliga season after FCB (21), and it’s a similar story when it comes to opposition attempts (FCB: 219, BVB: 241). With regards to clean sheets (11) and opposition big chances (22), Borussia are actually leading. And that’s despite major injury worries in the centre of defence: star defender Nico Schlotterbeck has been absent lately, as well as captain Emre Can and ex-Bayern man Niklas Süle.

As a result, Kovač has put his trust in 18-year-old Luca Reggiani, who acquitted himself well in both the Champions League play-off against Atalanta and the Bundesliga match in Leipzig. Can returned to action in the second leg at Atalanta on Wednesday night, where BVB lost 4-1 and were eliminated from the competition. Schlotterbeck could also be fit again for Saturday, but Borussia will have to cope without another key player: Julian Ryerson received his fifth yellow card of the campaign last weekend and must now serve a one-match suspension. The full-back’s absence will be felt not just in defence, as the Norwegian has been crucial for BVB recently as the best provider in the league (11 assists) after Michael Olise (16).

Dangerous in the air

Ryerson’s deadly deliveries have also contributed to the fact that, according to official DFL figures, Dortmund are the best in the division at headed goals (11) as well as goals from corners (nine) and crosses in open play (ten). BVB (49) are again second only to Bayern (85) when it comes to total goals scored. In comparison to the defence, Kovač can draw on all his resources in attack. Striker Serhou Guirassy is back to his best with five goals in his last four league outings and is expected to lead the line. There’s big competition for the other positions in attack and the former Croatian international can pick from Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt, Maximilian Beier or Fábio Silva, with virtually no deviation in quality. A key factor in the team selection is likely to be which players have the freshness required for this Bundesliga showdown following the trip to Bergamo.

Another trump card that Borussia take into Saturday’s meeting is their strength at home. BVB are the only team in the Bundesliga yet to lose at their own stadium this season (W9, D2), even winning their last six games in front of their own fans. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has picked the ball out of his net at Signal Iduna Park just eight times all season. Will the ‘Yellow Wall’ now halt the league leaders?

“They believe they can get something against us,” said FCB head coach Vincent Kompany. “We believe the same. It’s a top fixture.” He and his team have every reason to go into the game with confidence. Not only are the Munich men unbeaten in 20 Bundesliga away outings stretching back to last season, but they’ve also not lost any of their last seven league encounters at Dortmund (W5, D2) since the 3-2 defeat in November 2018. Current BVB boss Kovač should know better than anyone what proved crucial for Borussia on that day – he was in the Bayern dugout.

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