Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich: Vote for YOUR first Klassiker dream team central midfielder!
Ahead of the first Bundesliga Klassiker of the season, bundesliga.com is giving you the chance to vote for your Bayern Munich-Borussia Dortmund dream team. All 11 positions are up for grabs, and it's your votes that will determine the final combined Bayern-Dortmund XI, which we will present to you ahead of Saturday's big match. Here are the four candidates for the first central midfield position: Javi Martinez, Sebastian Rudy, Nuri Sahin and Julian Weigl. Cast your votes in the poll below!
Vote for your combined XI below!
Javi Martinez
"I'd say I am the most German of all Spanish footballers," said Javi Martinez following his arrival in Munich as the most expensive player the record German champions had recruited up to Corentin Tolisso's arrival in the summer. It was a positive assessment of his own ability, which combines the Spanish touch and fluidity with typical Teutonic discipline and efficiency. The ability to speed things up when needed, or rein things in when required, all while keeping a composure and a bridge between defence and attack.
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Nuri Sahin
Short, long, direct or wide – Nuri Sahin has the whole array of passes in his locker, and he knows precisely when to deliver which, and where. His impeccable first touch earns him more time on the ball to consider his options and this also makes him such a key fulcrum in the Dortmund team. Accustomed to sitting back with most of the game taking place in front of him, Sahin's ability to read the game is a boon for Borussia, who can rely on him pinging the ball forward precisely to inspire their counterattacking menace.
Watch: The Nuri Sahin story
Sebastian Rudy
Hoffenheim's first ever qualification for Europe last season was as much down to Sebastian Rudy as it was to their potency, with only three teams scoring more in the Bundesliga. To get in front of goal, you need a man who can carve out openings and Rudy, with his cunning movement and incisive passing, was just that man. He is a player who never stands still, dragging opposition players out of position and creating space for that killer ball, which he often delivers.
Julian Weigl
Sometimes, it is what you do not see which makes the biggest difference, and Julian Weigl is precisely the kind of player you may not particularly notice, yet his link-up play and involvement are crucial to Dortmund's game. It is far easier to remember who provided the goal or the assist, but the man who regains possession and gets an attack moving is arguably equally important and that is where Weigl excels, stealing the ball stealthily before playing an instant pass to keep things moving quickly. It is therefore unsurprising that he does not get noticed much, but his short spells on the ball are worth their weight in gold.
Watch: Weigl eager to keep improving