Every country has its own great footballing derbies, yet they all pale in comparison with Germany's Revierderby between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04.

Kohlenpottorder

Watch: Dortmund 3-2 Schalke - Matchday 12 highlights

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 campaign, 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.

Gallery: the memorable derbies of yesteryear

Tradition, regional politics and fierce local pride once again go into the pot on Matchday 29, but not before bundesliga.com looks back on some of the most memorable Ruhr rumbles of seasons past.

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