As any football fan is well aware, each and every league around the world has those games at least once a season that are the "ones not to miss". In some cases, they are called derbies - just look at the Manchester derby between Manchester United and Manchester City, or a London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea, and the like. For Serie A fans, Italy provides its fair share, such as the Derby della Madonnina (AC Milan vs. Inter), Derby della Mole (Juventus vs. Turin), and Derby della Capitale (Roma vs. Lazio).
Those who are passionate about the La Liga so eagerly anticipate El Clasico matches that some probably mark their calendars so as not to miss out on the blockbuster clashes. And other leagues have translated the title of the big games between Barcelona and Real Madrid into their own languages. Ligue 1 has Le Classique - PSG taking on Marseille - which French football fans will experience this Sunday. Portugal's Primeira Liga has O Clássico, fiercely contested between Benfica and Porto. And even America's MLS has the "California Clasico", which involves LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes.
Which now brings us to Germany and the clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Nicknamed "Der Klassiker" by some portions of the media due to the two clubs' fierce rivalry in recent times, the competition between the duo really reached a fever pitch during a historic UEFA Champions League clash at Wembley two seasons ago.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund made history in 2013 with an all-German Champions League final
Over the past few seasons - dating back to the 2009/2010 campaign - the Bundesliga title has gone back and forth between die Roten and die Schwarzgelben. Wolfsburg was the last team other than Bayern and Dortmund to clinch the title in the 2008/2009 season. However, since Dortmund's title win in 2012, which set a new points record with 81 points, Bayern not only obliterated that the subsequent campaign by racking up 91 points the following year but also have enjoyed increasingly little competition in their quest to remain as the no. 1 side in Germany.
Dominant: Bayern are cruising comfortably towards a third straight title whilst Dortmund struggle to stay in the top half of the table
So, whilst not a title decider, some may ask, "Why tune in to Der Klassiker?" After all, as the table clearly shows, Dortmund have no chance at even finishing second this season, let alone seriously contest Bayern for the Bundesliga crown. Nonetheless, one still will not want to miss out, and here are a few reasons why.
The "Mad Genius" vs. the "Philosopher"
Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are viewed by most as part of an elite group of coaches in the sport today, and rightfully so. Whilst the Spaniard does pip his German counterpart in terms of titles won - due to his overwhelming success with the Blaugrana as a coach and player - the pair are tied for three Klassiker wins a piece ahead of Saturday's showdown since Guardiola arrived in Munich last season.
The Spanish and German tacticians are renowned as among the top managers in world football
Given Klopp's intensely competitive and fiery nature, it must incense him that pretty much most people have written off his side that just two seasons ago were Champions League finalists. With their European dreams up in smoke following a humiliation at the hands of Juventus - unfortunately at their hallowed home ground - expect Klopp to be fired up and try to transmit that same kind of enthusiasm to his troops, which will certainly, at least for Dortmund fans, have all the makings of what hopefully will be a spicy encounter from start to finish.
Meanwhile, whilst Guardiola is still comfortably in contention to win at least one trophy with Bayern this season, the Catalan, labeled as a "perfectionist" by some, will be keen on getting his side back on track as they resume action following the international break.
A chance to make things right
Once actually dead last in the table, Dortmund have strung together an impressive seven match unbeaten streak to climb into tenth. A win over Bayern would certainly help their case as they now try to push for a Europa League berth, but of course, this is not a certainty. And, given the absence of players like David Alaba, Arjen Robben, and Franck Ribery, Klopp's side will certainly want to take revenge on an opponent that will be coming into this game after a shock 2-0 reversal to Borussia Moenchengladbach - their first loss at home - prior to the international break.
Nonetheless, what better way to really get the "Yellow Wall" rocking by handing Bayern their third defeat of the season at the Westfalenstadion?
Dortmund will face off against a Bayern side sans key players like David Alaba and Arjen Robben
Bayern, from their perspective will be loath to drop points against Dortmund. They do enjoy a 10 point lead over Wolfsburg, but naturally a loss, coupled with a win for the first side that defeated them this season, could see that lead reduced to single digits.
Opportunity to complete a "double" en route to a potential treble
The last time that Bayern Munich successfully defeated Borussia Dortmund in league play both home and away was during the 2009/2010 Bundesliga season. Since then, the tide has shifted in favour of Saturday's hosts, although, die Roten drew first blood by winning the first Klassiker back in November 2014. Like the visitors, die Schwarzgelben will also be coming into this game with injuries to Nuri Sahin and Oliver Kirch, the latter of whom had been used as a back-up to Lukasz Piszczek and Kevin Grosskreutz.
That being said, despite their own injury woes, this could represent an excellent chance for Bayern to heap more misery on their opponents and for Guardiola to edge Klopp in who boasts more wins over the other.
The sentimentality factor
Both Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski scored in the last meeting at the Allianz Arena in November. It was Lewandowski's 72nd minute goal that effectively nullified Reus's first-half effort and Robben's late penalty to seal all three points for the hosts and this will be the second trip back to the Westfalenstadion for the Polish international.
Given that Lewandowski was on the losing side during the DFL-Supercup match back in August, it will be interesting to see how and if the 26-year-old will have an impact as he again takes to the pitch at the stadium where he established himself as one of the continent's top strikers during his four seasons with Borussia Dortmund. Former Dortmund star Mario Gotze, of course, is no stranger to scoring against his former team, having grabbed the first last season in Bayern's 3-0 rout on the road in November of 2013.
Goalscorers Reus and Lewandowski, once teammates at Dortmund will face off against each other yet again on Saturday
The drama behind the scenes
And finally, let's not forget the off-the-pitch drama between the two sides. In recent years, tensions have been flamed following Bayern's acquisitons of Gotze and Lewandowski, and the public courting of Reus by the reigning Bundesliga champions. Both Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Hans-Joachim Watzke have opted to snub the customary pre-match dinners, but recently the Bayern CEO attempted to bury the hatchet somewhat with his remarks prior to the upcoming game.
"If we were to receive an invitation, I will obviously attend, [as] I do not have any problem with Hans-Joachim Watzke. I regard him as an incredibly competent colleague," he noted.
"[Besides] I think that he has played a major role in how far Borussia Dortmund have come again. You cannot just look at this season."
Regardless of what is said off the pitch, what really counts is what happens on it.
Sadly, this could represent the last time fans will see players like Reus, Mats Hummels, and even manager Klopp all facing off against juggernauts Bayern, if rumours of a summer exodus are to be believed. As such, one will not want to miss out on what should hopefully be an entertaining battle from start to finish.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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