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Jens Lehmann (c.) fought for Ruhr bragging rights as a Dortmund and Schalke player, becoming the first-ever keeper to score a goal from open play in the Bundesliga whilst at Schalke in 1997.
Jens Lehmann (c.) fought for Ruhr bragging rights as a Dortmund and Schalke player, becoming the first-ever keeper to score a goal from open play in the Bundesliga whilst at Schalke in 1997.

Revierderby: Back in time

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It is title time once again in the Ruhr district this weekend as Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 battle to claim their place on the regional football throne for the next half-season or so.

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Every country has its own great footballing derbies, from Spain's El Clásico to the Derby della Madonnina in Milan. Yet, the one that arguably trumps the lot is Germany's Revierderby.

Whatever the relative current fortunes of these two Bundesliga heavyweights in the grander scheme of things, this championship-within-a-championship operates to its own autonomous rules - not least for the massed ranks of their respective fans. For many diehards, the result of this one can make or break an entire season, and while the players are professionally obliged to maintain the one-game-at-a-time mantra, they will also savour the ultimate German derby for the unique occasion that it is.

Dating back to 1925, it's a contest steeped in tradition, regional politics and fierce local pride - ingredients set to go into the mix once again on Matchday 12 - but not before bundesliga.com looks back on some of the most memorable Ruhr rumbles so far.