Der Klassiker: Here’s why Borussia Dortmund can beat Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund travel to the Allianz Arena on Matchday 8 looking to extend their unbeaten start to the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Boasting the division’s meanest defence and an impressive recent record in Munich, Niko Kovač’s side have plenty of reasons to believe they can get the better of Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker.
1) Best start in years
Dortmund have enjoyed an excellent start to the seasonn, emerging as one of just two unbeaten teams in the division alongside Bayern.
Five wins and two draws from their opening seven matches mark BVB’s strongest league start since 2023/24, when they had an identical record before losing to Bayern on Matchday 9.
Indeed, Dortmund last enjoyed a better opening seven-match run in 2017/18, when they collected six wins and a draw. That consistency should provide Kovač’s side with plenty of confidence ahead of their trip to Munich, particularly given their impressive defensive performances.
2) Sturdy at the back
While Bayern have been scoring goals at a remarkable rate, Dortmund have established themselves as the Bundesliga’s most formidable defensive unit. The Black-Yellows have conceded just four goals across their opening seven league matches, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Their defensive solidity is no recent development, either. Dortmund conceded just 34 goals throughout the 2025/26 campaign, two fewer than Bayern. The underlying numbers are equally impressive. BVB have allowed opponents an expected goals (xG) total of just 5.85 this season, the lowest in the Bundesliga, while conceding only three clear-cut chances.
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has also been in outstanding form, saving 82 per cent of the shots he has faced. Against a Bayern side who have already scored 25 league goals this term, Dortmund’s defensive organisation could prove decisive.
3) Good time to face Bayern
Bayern are always tough opposition, but right now might be the best time to play them. The Bavarians have not been quite as electric this campaign, already picking up two draws compared to last season's seven straight league wins to start the term, and they are currently facing a number of injury problems.
Luis Díaz, one third of Bayern's irresistible attacking trio, will not feature, and Jamal Musiala could well join him on the sidelines. Aleksandar Pavlović and Manuel Neuer, meanwhile, have had their own issues and, even if they are passed fit to play, they may not be at their sharpest.
They will also be without head coach Vincent Kompany, with his assistant Aaron Danks set to deputise once more. All in all, Bayern are not at their strongest right now, and BVB are primed to take advantage.
4) Strong away form
Over the past 18 months or so, Dortmund have proven themselves strong travellers in the Bundesliga. They are, of course, without defeat away from home in the top flight this term, while they were beaten in just three of their away games in 2025/26.
They even ended 2024/25 with one defeat in six trips to sides amongst Germany's elite, while they have kept clean sheets in three of their previous four away Bundesliga games. At the Allianz Arena itself, they have lost just one of the past three, too, suggesting they can give Bayern a real run for their money once again.
5) Dortmund's attacking options
Dortmund are not only strong at the back, but also have several attacking options that are ready to pounce.
Serhou Guirassy remains the star attraction, and while he has found the back of the net just twice in Dortmund's seven Bundesliga games so far, his four strikes in three UEFA Champions League matches underline his ability to make a difference against the very best.
He has also built an understanding with Fabio Silva that has helped the Portuguese flourish this term. The Guinea international has assisted both of Silva's Bundesliga strikes, and the latter's four goals in all competitions already exceed what he managed in the entirety of last season.
Meanwhile, Maximilian Beier has more goal contributions in the Bundesliga than any other Dortmund player, with two goals and two assists, while six squad members have at least two goals in all competitions.
