Bundesliga showdown at the Allianz Arena! FC Bayern host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (live text and free Web Radio from 18:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app) in an absolute top match. In new head coach Thomas Tuchel's debut, the Munich men are bidding to reclaim the lead in the table from BVB. Read the preview to see how things stand ahead of Der Klassiker.
The state of play for Bayern
Tuchel has been coach at Bayern for a week. "We feel a very positive energy and great anticipation for the game tomorrow. First of all it's been about getting a feel for each other," said the new boss, describing his impressions of the last few days in Friday's pre-match press conference. He begins his tenure with a very special challenge against his former employers - Tuchel coached BVB from 2015 to 2017. "The league standings, the rivalry between the two clubs... It's certainly going to be a fierce contest. We'll also be fully prepared emotionally," added the 49-year-old.
After Bayern's 2-1 defeat at Bayer 04 Leverkusen on the last matchday, Dortmund moved one point above the record champions at the top of the table. "We want the lead back. We won't be champions if we win, but nor will we write off the title if we don't win. The match obviously has a signalling effect, though," added the head coach.
Watch Thomas Tuchel's press conference ahead of the clash with BVB in full:
The opponents: Borussia Dortmund
The visitors are enjoying an outstanding second half of the season. BVB have won nine of their 10 league games since the turn of the year, drawing the other. That's seen Edin Terzić's men turn a nine-point gap to Bayern into a one-point advantage following the 6-1 win over 1. FC Köln last time out. "What makes me optimistic is the energy we've generated in recent weeks and months," said Terzić ahead of the trip to Munich. "That energy, that being there for each other and playing for each other: that's what we want to take into it."
The facts on the meeting with BVB:
The team news
As well as long-term absentees Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernández, Bayern are also without Mathys Tel, who picked up a muscle strain in his left adductor while on international duty with the French U19 team. Jamal Musiala, who sat out Germany's internationals with a thigh muscle strain, is expected to be available. "Jamal trained fully today and will also be involved in the pre-match session tomorrow," revealed Tuchel.
Gio Reyna and Thomas Meunier are absent for BVB, while there are doubts over Nico Schlotterbeck and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Compared to the win at Köln on the last matchday, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, Julian Brandt, Salih Özcan, Karim Adeyemi, Youssoufa Moukoko and Emre Can are all back.
What the coaches say
It's a big match. The focus is clearly on us. The key is that we have confidence in ourselves. The team are capable of generating incredible force.
Thomas Tuchel
We can lay down a marker for ourselves and the competition. We also want to show that we're different to recent years.
Edin Terzić (Borussia Dortmund coach)
Topics of this article