In the past few years, showdowns between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund were the highlight matches of the Bundesliga seasons. Dortmund usually came out on top, even if Bayern claimed the title at the end.
This season, it is another Borussia, the one from Monchengladbach, who are turning into Bayern’s closest challengers, holding the defending champions to a 0-0 draw last week.
Dortmund, on the other hand, are languishing near the bottom following a terrible start. Less than a third into the season, Dortmund are already 14 points behind leaders Bayern and face an uphill struggle just to make it into the Champions League places.
Dortmund must now travel to Munich, while Monchengladbach host Hoffenheim.
Here are some things to know about this weekend’s matches in the Bundesliga:
Dortmund’s troubles
Hit by a series of injuries, Dortmund have lost their last four matches in the Bundesliga and have the most defeats of all teams at six. They are one point away from the danger zone.
Instead of being a title challenger, Dortmund now must fear about reaching a European competition next season.
Bayern, however, produce the best in Dortmund, who have not lost in their last four visits to Munich. Bayern have started the season with six victories and three draws.
Robben’s threat
Bayern winger Arjen Robben is Dortmund’s main concern, having scored five goals in the last five matches against the team, including in last season’s DFB-Pokal (German Cup) final. He also scored the winner in the Champions League final between the two clubs in 2013.
With Robben on the field, Bayern have five victories in five league matches, without the often-injured Dutchman, Bayern have only one victory in four matches.
Robben missed the 0-0 draw in Monchengladbach and the 3-1 victory in Hamburg in the German Cup on Wednesday because of a leg injury.
“But I think it’s going to work out (for Saturday),” Robben said.
Kagawa factor
The return of Shinji Kagawa could also work in Dortmund’s favour. The Japan midfielder has played four times against Bayern and all four were Dortmund victories.
Back in Dortmund after an unhappy spell at Manchester United, Kagawa proved his worth again when he scored one and set up another in Dortmund’s 3-0 German Cup victory at St Pauli.
St Pauli play in the second division but Dortmund will take any victory they can as they try to shore up their shaken confidence.
Missing Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski’s departure for Bayern has severely blunted Dortmund’s attack. After nine matches last season, Dortmund were second behind Bayern with 22 goals scored. They have only 10 goals at the same stage this season.
Trying to fill the void, Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has been rotating three strikers, Ciro Immobile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adrian Ramos. But sporting director Michael Zorc thinks Dortmund have a different problem.
“We’ve made unbelievable mistakes in the defence, like never before,” Zorc said.
Dortmund have conceded 15 goals.
Unbeaten rivals
Apart from Bayern, two other teams are unbeaten – Monchengladbach and Hoffenheim. The two, along with Wolfsburg, are four points behind Bayern.
Sunday’s match in Monchengladbach should prove a thriller. Both teams play attractive, attacking football and both are coming off German Cup victories.
Monchengladbach were the first team to stretch Bayern this season and the champions had goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to thank for coming away with a point.
Lucian Favre’s team could match a club record if they stay unbeaten on Sunday. The Monchengladbach team of the 1970/71 season went unbeaten in their first 17 matches in all competitions and Favre’s side are a match short of the mark.
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