Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: title rivalry resumes
With Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both making unbeaten starts to the 2025/26 season, their upcoming meeting recalls memories of hard-fought, title deciding battles of seasons gone by.
It’s first vs second in the first Klassiker of the season as Bayern host Dortmund on Matchday 7 of the Bundesliga. All eyes will descend on the Allianz Arena as Germany’s biggest domestic rivals go head to head in the 138th meeting between the two clubs.
A flagship fixture of the Bundesliga for the last two decades, Der Klassiker has always provided quite the spectacle, which has gone in favour of Germany’s most decorated club in recent seasons with 10 wins and one draw between November 2019 and November 2023.
Though the arrival of Niko Kovač has brought Dortmund back into the picture, winning his first Klassiker in charge of the Black and Yellows before picking up a point in both meetings last season. With just four points separating the two teams after six games, the title rivalry has resumed, and here’s why this encounter promises to be as captivating as ever.
Bayern and Dortmund enjoy unbeaten starts
Bayern and Dortmund both enjoy unbeaten starts to their Bundesliga campaigns which makes the Matchday 7 clash all the more enticing.
Vincent Kompany's side have picked up maximum points to kickstart their season, scoring 25 goals and conceding just three. The record champions opened the season with an emphatic 6-0 win against RB Leipzig before overcoming Bavarian neighbours Augsburg 3-2.
Harry Kane then scored a brace in Bayern’s 5-0 win against Hamburg before picking up wins against Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen. It then took Luis Diaz just 15 seconds to open the scoring against Eintracht Frankfurt in a 3-0 win, in what was a record breaking day for Kompany’s side.
Watch: Every Bayern goal so far this season
As for Dortmund, their campaign started with a 3-3 draw at St. Pauli but they responded magnificently with wins against Union Berlin, Heidenheim, Wolfsburg and Mainz, registering four successive clean sheets.
Kovač's side then picked up a valuable point against in-form Leipzig on Matchday 6 after Yan Couto netted his first Bundesliga goal to keep their unbeaten start intact.
Kompany enjoyed a stellar first campaign as Bayern Munich head coach last season as they finished 13 points ahead of runners-up Bayer Leverkusen, losing just two games. Kane scored 26 of Bayern’s 99 Bundesliga goals and already the England international has elevated his game under his coach this season.
Watch: Dortmund in Klassiker form
Next-level Kompany
The Belgian tactician has Kane playing a much deeper role than we’re accustomed to seeing him operate in, but that hasn’t affected the 32-year-old’s output.
His new free role allows Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise and Díaz - who has five goals and four assists in his maiden Bundesliga campaign - to attack the space behind, leaving opposing defenders with a decision to make on when to go with him.
Kane's long-range strike against Frankfurt on Matchday 6 was his 11th Bundesliga goal of the season. If the Englishman continues with this strike rate, he will eclipse Robert Lewandowski’s record of 41 goals in a single-season.
Watch: All Kane's goals so far this season
Defensively, Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah have formed a formidable partnership in central defence, starting in five of Bayern’s six league games so far.
With an emphasis on winning the ball back in a high press and attacking with intent, the Bavarians are ruthless. Leading the way in intensive runs, sprints and distance covered of any team this season, it’s the most dangerous we’ve seen Bayern since Hansi Flick’s treble-winning squad.
Kovač factor
A lot can change in the space of 10 months. Appointed in January, Kovač guided Dortmund to 22 points from their final eight Bundesliga games to secure their UEFA Champions League berth. Since then, the Croat has elevated and established Dortmund into firm title contenders.
Unlike his predecessor Nuri Şahin, Kovač's approach is a far more disciplined one. Operating in a 3-4-2-1, Dortmund are aggressive in attack while remaining tight at the back. No player in the Bundesliga has covered more distance or made more intensive runs than wing-back Daniel Svensson. The Swede’s work rate epitomises what Kovač is going for.
Watch: Couto and Svensson shining
Dortmund’s attack consists of Serhou Guirassy - who has four goals in five games - Karim Adeyemi and Maximilian Beier, all of whom have had to adapt their playing style under Dortmund’s head coach to one that is willing to work hard and increase their defensive contributions.
Not only that, Kovač has also worked his magic with players who worked under his predecessor. Ramy Bensebaini, Felix Nmecha and Marcel Sabitzer are now key players for the Ruhr club and with the arrivals of Jobe Bellingham and Carney Chukwuemeka, Dortmund have much needed depth while Julian Brandt remains a valuable asset, giving Kovač plenty of midfield options.
Dortmund may no longer play the free-flowing attacking football we’ve been accustomed to watching in previous seasons but this one is far more dangerous, and one that can compete for a Bundesliga title.
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