Memories are still fresh. The 2013 Champions League final will never be forgotten. But the last match against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on 23 November last year was also a top-class, emotionally-charged and breathtaking encounter - and a real pleasure for all Bayern fans. The stadium fell silent when old boy Mario Götze scored his wonder goal at his former club's ground. Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller both netted late on in the 3-0 victory over arch-rivals BVB. Bayern would be happy to see a repeat of that result on Saturday night (Live in English from 6.30 pm CET on Twitter and FCB.tv Web Radio).
One thing is certain: Bayern are on top form and the forthcoming semi-final clashes against Kaiserslautern in the DFB Cup and Real Madrid in the Champions League should provide extra impetus. “We will play as well as possible. We’re a good team - but only if we give our all,” said Pep Guardiola on Friday afternoon, “we won't stand a chance against BVB if we take our foot off the gas.”
It would be natural to think that the Bundesliga is over with Bayern stepping onto the pitch on Saturday night as German champions. “But Borussia Dortmund are Borussia Dortmund. It's something special,” the coach stated. Complete concentration is required for the Dortmund game. “They deserve our full attention. It will be a big test,” Guardiola added.
'Possibly tired but fit'
In addition, it is naturally “a question of prestige,” as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge noted. “I've just been with the first team. They’re all really keen and they want to win. And our coach does too.” Guardiola will have to make do without a number of stars against BVB: Thiago, Xherdan Shaqiri, Diego Contento and Holger Badstuber are still all injured. “The others are possibly tired but fit,” explained the Bayern head coach with a smile on his face.
Dortmund, who have still not sealed second place in the league, are arguably even worse off. Jürgen Klopp has to replace key players such as Neven Subotic, Marcel Schmelzer, Sven Bender, Ilkay Gündogan and Jakub Blaszczykowski. And, on the other hand, the scheduling of the fixture does not really suit the BVB coach: “This match against Bayern Munich is timed sensationally well - between Real Madrid and Wolfsburg,” said Klopp, full of irony in view of Tuesday's DFB Cup semi-final.
Nevertheless, “we won't give anything away,” reported the Dortmund coach, “but first of all we'll have to see who can play.” 6,500 fans will support Borussia against the reigning German champions at the Allianz Arena on Saturday night. “We want the three points, because it would do us a really good turn,” added Klopp. Bayern will have something to say about that - exactly as in the first half of the season.
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