Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich: Vote for YOUR second 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 second central midfielder position: Gonzalo Castro, Mahmoud Dahoud, Corentin Tolisso and Arturo Vidal. Cast your votes in the poll below!
Vote for your combined XI below!
Gonzalo Castro
"In his short time here, Gonzo has become an invaluable member of the team both on and off the pitch." So said Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc in March 2017, when Castro extended his contract with the club until 2020. Since joining from boyhood club Bayer Leverkusen in July 2015, the 30-year-old has emerged as one of BVB's midfield leaders, scoring 12 goals and providing 21 assists in close to 100 appearances in all competitions. While he is less likely to grab headlines than a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or a Christian Pulisic, Castro's dedication and consistency have made him a firm fan favourite at the Signal Iduna Park.
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Mahmoud Dahoud
A summer signing from Borussia Mönchengladbach, Dahoud has already staked a serious claim for a starting place in the Dortmund midfield, even at the age of just 21. It is curious to note that Dortmund have failed to win the three games that the Germany Under-21 international hasn't played in this season, against Freiburg (0-0), RB Leipzig (2-3) and Eintracht Frankfurt (2-2). Like Castro, Dahoud is comfortable in both defensive and attacking roles, and he has already notched up three assists in his six league outings this term.
Corentin Tolisso
Tolisso knew expectations would be high when he became Bayern's record signing over the summer, but the former Lyon man hit the ground running with a superb performance on his Bundesliga debut, scoring in a 3-1 win over Leverkusen. The France international has continued to impress at the heart of the champions' midfield - and he underlined his game-winning credentials on Matchday 9, with the only goal in a hard-fought win over Hamburg. At only 23, Tolisso looks set to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Franck Ribery and bring a little French flair to the Allianz Arena.
Arturo Vidal
Let alone vying for a place in our Bayern-Dortmund dream team, Vidal has a legitimate claim as one of the best midfielders in world football, given his talent, influence and full-blooded commitment. 'King Arturo' has won six straight league titles - four with Juventus in Italy and two with Bayern in Germany - as well as back-to-back Copa America crowns with Chile, which tells you all you need to know about his impact. "A warrior can cry, feel fear and disappointment," he wrote after La Roja failed to reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup. "But they never give up and never back down."