Dortmund vs. Bayern German Super Cup final: watch live match starring Guardiola

Topics: Live Stream, TV Schedules, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Pep Guardiola, Arjen Robben, Uli Hoeness, DFL Supercup, UEFA Champions League, DFB Pokal

The two teams which topped European football’s charts last season will play each other in what is set to be an extremely heated match on Saturday. The winner will be awarded the DFL Supercup trophy.

Preview: Guardiola’s charges prepare for huge test

In Germany, there is a common saying which Bayern President Uli Hoeness commonly uses: ‘Bayern is its own worst enemy’. This has often proved to be the case in the past. Hence, Bayern is warned against complacency every season. In truth, Bayern, aside from complacency, does have one huge enemy: Borussia Dortmund.

Pep Guardiola’s 4-1-4-1 is set to be severely tested by Jürgen Klopp’s 4-2-3-1. Both teams have absentees. For Bayern, Franck Ribery and Manuel Neuer, who picked up minor knocks against Barcelona, are out of the squad. Holger Badstuber is out of course with a long term injury while new signing, Mario Götze, the man who dared cross the border, is still out of action. Bastian Schweinsteiger will hope to add more minutes after returning to the pitch against Barca.

For Dortmund, new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan is out of action. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is doubtful. Lukasz Piszczek is still recovering from surgery. Klopp’s team is set for their wildest season yet after last season’s highs and lows. How will Pep’s Bayern handle BVB’s incessant pressing?

Bayern themselves already know how to beat Dortmund of course. They achieved the feat thrice last season. In the latest meeting in the UEFA Champions League final, Bayern beat out Dortmund 2-1 of course. In the Pokal, Bayern 1-0 in the quarterfinals courtesy of an Arjen Robben strike, Bayern also won this very competition last season in the Allianz Arena, 2-1, setting up the foundations of the best season in the history of the club.

Bayern’s two defensive midfielders were key to the victories over Borussia Dortmund last season. The team relied heavily on the protection offered by the double pivot. However, Guardiola has gotten rid of that system and prefers just one defensive midfielder in his 4-1-4-1. This approach could come back to haunt him against Dortmund who press high up the pitch and pounce on every little mistake made by the opposition.

BVB will have home advantage on their side of course. The match takes place at the Signal Iduna Park (Westfalenstadion); the BVB faithful will be prepared to use their voices to force Bayern to be submissive. However, is BVB strong enough to beat out Bayern?