Who are the two biggest clubs in German football? Without question, Bayern Munich leads the way with an unrivaled 32 German league titles, six European crowns, a UEFA Cup, and a Club World Cup. But who is their greatest rival? Could it be Nürnberg, a nine-time German champion also based in Bavaria? Perhaps Hamburger SV, the former European champion? Or maybe Borussia Mönchengladbach, which claimed all five of its titles during the 1970s—a decade when Bayern began its rise to prominence? The answer depends on who you ask and which era you reference. However, in modern times, Bayern’s fiercest rival is widely considered to be Borussia Dortmund, the team that will host the Bundesliga leaders this Saturday.Bayern Munich have had their fun over the years in Der Klassiker 🫣🔴🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/qORjeYnLn0— OneFootball (@OneFootball) November 30, 2024 This will be the 136th edition of “Der Klassiker,” as German media dub the clash between Bayern and Dortmund. It’s a name that makes Spaniards bristle, as it borrows from the far more storied “El Clásico” rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Unlike Spain’s historic battle, the rivalry between Dortmund and Bayern is relatively new, having truly emerged only in the mid-1990s—about three decades ago. Even then, one could question how much of a real competition it has been, given Bayern’s significantly greater wealth and superior organization. Dortmund has claimed five Bundesliga titles during this period (1995, 1996, 2002, 2011, 2012), while Bayern has won 20 in the same timeframe. Until Bayer Leverkusen’s shock unbeaten title win last season, Bayern had clinched 11 consecutive Bundesliga championships. During this streak, Dortmund finished second seven times, reinforcing their role as Bayern’s primary challenger. Yet, Dortmund trailed Bayern by an average of 12 points during those years, suggesting the gap was substantial.Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em pic.twitter.com/pMqsSgw6AH— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) November 29, 2024 The rivalry as we know it was arguably created by Ottmar Hitzfeld, Borussia’s most successful coach, who led the team to its first two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League triumph in 1997 before switching sides to Bayern. With the Bavarians, Hitzfeld secured five league titles and another European crown. This coaching switch was heavily marketed as a major storyline, artificially elevating the rivalry between the two clubs. The truth is that the Bundesliga desperately needed something like “Der Klassiker” to enhance its global appeal. While Dortmund was the chosen foil, Leverkusen and Schalke posed greater challenges to Bayern in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until Jürgen Klopp’s tenure that Dortmund genuinely cemented itself as Germany’s second-best club. The pinnacle of “Der Klassiker” came in the 2012/13 season, when Bayern and Dortmund met in the Champions League final. At Wembley, Bayern triumphed 2–1 with Arjen Robben’s last-minute winner.Alphonso Davies’ downfall: drunk driving, underperforming…In four of the past six Bundesliga seasons, Bayern finished first and Dortmund second. Last season, however, Bayern placed third, and Dortmund dropped to fifth. In November last year, Bayern secured a dominant 4–0 away win, while Dortmund got their revenge in Munich with a 2–0 victory in March. Based on the first 11 matchdays this season, Dortmund does not appear to be a serious contender. They already trail Bayern by 10 points, largely due to poor away form (one draw and four losses). Still, a match like this could shift momentum for both sides, prompting a cautious approach from both camps.”This isn’t just an important match for the players on the pitch; it’s special for the fans of both clubs. The rivalry has a long history, with both teams competing for trophies. That’s why Dortmund has always been my biggest rival in Germany” said Bayern veteran Thomas MüllerBayern’s supremo: ‘I can promise you the German championship’For Bayern manager Vincent Kompany, this will be his first Klassiker.”This is a derby watched worldwide. Dortmund’s fans always play their part. We’ve prepared for the best version of Borussia. They play with high pressing and are always dangerous on the counterattack. When they’re at their best, they’re also good at building from the back. But we have the experience. My players have shown they can handle matches like this. We’re here to win” Kompany said.BVB put five recognised stars on their ‘cut list’ of up-for-sale playersFor Dortmund’s coach Nuri Şahin, this will also be his first Klassiker in charge, although he played in 21 of them as a Dortmund player, with a record of five wins, three draws, and 13 losses.”This is the biggest match in Germany. These games follow their own rules—table standings don’t matter. Obviously, Bayern is far ahead of us, but we aim to close the gap. There’s no reason to lack confidence. We’ve won all our home games this season. They play with a high defensive line, leaving little space for opponents. We need to exploit that space. We must be brave and know what’s required to win,” Şahin emphasized.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 12Friday St.Pauli – Holstein Kiel 3-1 (1-0)/Saliakas 25, Guilavogui 56, Eggestein 85 – Harres 90+1/Saturday 17.30: (1.73) Augsburg (3.60) Bochum (5.10)17.30: (2.00) Freiburg (3.60) M’ gladbach (4.00)17.30: (1.75) RB Leipzig (3.80) Wolfsburg (5.20)17.30: (5.00) Union Berlin (3.70) Leverkusen (1.80)17.30: (3.20) Werder (3.60) Stuttgart (2.30)20.30: (4.50) Dortmund (4.30) Bayern (1.75)Sunday 17.30: (2.15) Mainz (3.60) Hoffenheim (3.60)19.30: (3.80) Heidenheim (3.50) Eintr.Frankfurt (1.97)***odds are subject to change***
