<b>Bundesliga MD 07 Preview: Dortmund vs. Bayern</b>
The <em>Klassiker</em> is on again: Borussia Dortmund against FC Bayern München. In our preview, we analyse what we believe are the five most important aspects that could decide the game.On Saturday evening, Borussia Dortmund will host FC Bayern for Saturday’s late kick-off game. With the exception of one victory in the DFL Supercup in 2018, Dortmund have only managed one win in the last seven matches against Bayern. They have a goal tally of 5 for and 23 against during this period.This sounds an awful lot like one team being enshrined firmly at the top of the league while the other is trying with all might to dislodge them from their pedestal – but is never quite able to make it, failing again and again eventually. The only exceptions have been when Bayern themselves have gone through weaker periods and thus helped their contenders from the <em>Ruhrgebiet</em> a little. But in truth there has not been a meeting of equals at the absolute peak of their powers for some time now.The closest the two sides came to something like that was in the last match: Lucien Favre’s team actually managed to offer credible resistance in Bayern’s narrow 1-0 win in Dortmund. Clever shifts of the play, a compact, deep defense with well-timed scrambles forward, and above all good playful solutions against Bayern’s attacking press held the game in a tight balance over long periods. In the end Kimmich decided the game with a skillful chip over Bürki.<a href="#the-klassiker-close-affair-or-one-sided-contest"></a>The <em>Klassiker</em>: Close affair or one-sided contest?In view of the season so far, a similarly tight affair could possibly be in the offing this time around. Dortmund currently have the best defense in the league, having conceded the fewest goals, while Bayern are used to making short work of opposing defensive lines. But Dortmund currently are in good shape and, in contrast to many other clashes in recent years, should welcome their opponents with a good deal of self-confidence.Composure, poise, good organization, and lots of offensive penetration have characterised Dortmund’s game in recent weeks. Most recently, they managed to keep a clean sheet four times in a row. However, they have not really been forced to prove their mettle yet. The 3-1 defeat against Lazio at the start of the Champions League caused some unrest, but Favre has reacted and adapted his system a bit. Now, instead of three at the back, Dortmund once again play with a back four.Whether this (minor) adjustment will be enough to redress the fundamental problems Dortmund have repeatedly shown over the last years remains to be seen. But things have been looking up lately. Against FC Bayern Dortmund’s performance will have to take another step up and they will need to play with more courage than in previous meetings to pass their first big test of the season.<a href="#five-decisive-aspects-that-will-determine-the-klassiker"></a>Five decisive aspects that will determine the <em>Klassiker</em><a href="#1-self-confidence-courage-and-mentality"></a>1. self-confidence, courage, and mentalityMentality, when used in a football context, often remains a rather diffuse and intangible construct. What does someone want to tell us when they speak of a ‘lack of mentality’? In the case of Dortmund, it is often suggested that the team cannot really put up a fight and shift gear if things do not go according to plan.Especially in the direct duels with FC Bayern, Dortmund’s approach to the game and their attitude have often been the target of criticism: Too wait-and-see, too fearful, too cautious. The question of mentality clearly is more than a simple switch that can be flipped at will.Sebastian Kehl, head of the first team players department at Dortmund, presented himself quite optimistic and appealed to the courage of the team. Because in last season’s reverse fixture it became clear once again: If Dortmund play a high, aggressive and courageous…
The <em>Klassiker</em> is on again: Borussia Dortmund against FC Bayern München. In our preview, we analyse what we believe are the five most important aspects that could decide the game.On Saturday evening, Borussia Dortmund will host FC Bayern for Saturday’s late kick-off game. With the exception of one victory in the DFL Supercup in 2018, Dortmund have only managed one win in the last seven matches against Bayern. They have a goal tally of 5 for and 23 against during this period.This sounds an awful lot like one team being enshrined firmly at the top of the league while the other is trying with all might to dislodge them from their pedestal – but is never quite able to make it, failing again and again eventually. The only exceptions have been when Bayern themselves have gone through weaker periods and thus helped their contenders from the <em>Ruhrgebiet</em> a little. But in truth there has not been a meeting of equals at the absolute peak of their powers for some time now.The closest the two sides came to something like that was in the last match: Lucien Favre’s team actually managed to offer credible resistance in Bayern’s narrow 1-0 win in Dortmund. Clever shifts of the play, a compact, deep defense with well-timed scrambles forward, and above all good playful solutions against Bayern’s attacking press held the game in a tight balance over long periods. In the end Kimmich decided the game with a skillful chip over Bürki.<a href="#the-klassiker-close-affair-or-one-sided-contest"></a>The <em>Klassiker</em>: Close affair or one-sided contest?In view of the season so far, a similarly tight affair could possibly be in the offing this time around. Dortmund currently have the best defense in the league, having conceded the fewest goals, while Bayern are used to making short work of opposing defensive lines. But Dortmund currently are in good shape and, in contrast to many other clashes in recent years, should welcome their opponents with a good deal of self-confidence.Composure, poise, good organization, and lots of offensive penetration have characterised Dortmund’s game in recent weeks. Most recently, they managed to keep a clean sheet four times in a row. However, they have not really been forced to prove their mettle yet. The 3-1 defeat against Lazio at the start of the Champions League caused some unrest, but Favre has reacted and adapted his system a bit. Now, instead of three at the back, Dortmund once again play with a back four.Whether this (minor) adjustment will be enough to redress the fundamental problems Dortmund have repeatedly shown over the last years remains to be seen. But things have been looking up lately. Against FC Bayern Dortmund’s performance will have to take another step up and they will need to play with more courage than in previous meetings to pass their first big test of the season.<a href="#five-decisive-aspects-that-will-determine-the-klassiker"></a>Five decisive aspects that will determine the <em>Klassiker</em><a href="#1-self-confidence-courage-and-mentality"></a>1. self-confidence, courage, and mentalityMentality, when used in a football context, often remains a rather diffuse and intangible construct. What does someone want to tell us when they speak of a ‘lack of mentality’? In the case of Dortmund, it is often suggested that the team cannot really put up a fight and shift gear if things do not go according to plan.Especially in the direct duels with FC Bayern, Dortmund’s approach to the game and their attitude have often been the target of criticism: Too wait-and-see, too fearful, too cautious. The question of mentality clearly is more than a simple switch that can be flipped at will.Sebastian Kehl, head of the first team players department at Dortmund, presented himself quite optimistic and appealed to the courage of the team. Because in last season’s reverse fixture it became clear once again: If Dortmund play a high, aggressive and courageous…