Der Klassiker: Where Borussia Dortmund’s Pragmatism Meets Bayern Munich’s Super-Stardom – News18

Bayern Munich. A name that emanates grandeur. Dominance at the highest level of football. The Bavarian kings of the Bundesliga.

For the institution they are deemed as, these past few seasons, Bayern has been struggling to live up to their expectations.

A quarter-final exit in the Champions League last season followed but a final-day miracle that took two for Bayern to secure domestic glory at the very least.

The young phenom that is Julian Nagelsmann had a rough season, to say the least. Constant change of tactics, fractured relationships with his players, and finally, yet another defeat in the Champions League. All of these were enough for the Bavarians to part ways with the young German. And they were in the hunt for a leader to help see them through to the Promised Land.

In comes Thomas Tuchel. The ex-Dortmund manager who created waves in world football, and secured his move to the esteemed Premier League. But, a failed stint and strained relations with the Chelsea board weirdly helped both Bayern and Tuchel align paths. And in came the Dortmund man, now donning the iconic Red of the Bavarians.

But, a managerial overhaul was not enough for Bayern. They wanted more. They wanted firepower. A sheer force of nature, and a proven one at it.

They wanted Harry Kane. And they got him.

Bayern was already feared, but now they looked terrifying. Armed with arguably the best striker in the history of the Premier League, who has already had 17 goal contributions this season, and a plethora of talent all across the field, it seemed as if nothing could hurt their chances at surefire silverware this season.

Well, nothing except injuries. And boy, has it hurt them.

One after the other, Bayern’s players fell to the injury bug. Kim Min Jae, Serge Gnabry, Matthijs De Ligt, the list goes on.

READ: Bayern Munich’s Matthijs De Ligt Ruled Out With Knee Injury

The Bayern ranks are seemingly thinning. But then again, the advantage of being Bayern is that even your bench players are world-class. And there is no denying that overloading a team with star power will always gain results. Former Ireland International Terry Phelan knows the same.

In conversation with News18 Sports, Phelan emphasized the importance of and the change that merely possessing superstar-caliber players can bring about to a club.

‘Injuries are part and parcel of the game. That is why you try and have a big squad…Bayern Munich are still doing well. They are in the second spot in the league. They’re two points off the top of the table, they’re still in the Champions League, and they possess a world-class goal-scorer who has already bagged 12 goals and 5 assists. So, all they have to do is stamp their authority,” said Phelan.

Although the Bavarians are clearly in no spot of danger when it comes to the Bundesliga, as they sit in second place currently, Tuchel would sure be praying that the team gets healthy altogether, especially as the season rolls on and the competition gets tougher.

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We’ve seen the image of a quintessential superpower. Now, let’s take a look at the other side. Let’s talk about Dortmund.

If Bayern is deemed the bourgeoisie, then Dortmund is the proletariat. In all senses of the word. A club built by the people, for the people of the industrial complex of Dortmund. Very literally, as fans alike possess ownership shares in the club.

But alas, the people don’t always rise above power immediately. Change takes time, and so does time itself. Hence, Dortmund has done the very same.

Bayern has laid claim to utter dominance of the Bundesliga. But, Dortmund have slowly and steadily grown to become the biggest thorn in their side.

A footballing revolution led by the enigmatic Jurgen Klopp, saw Dortmund rise to the highest stages of football, right up there with Bayern. Yet, they couldn’t finish the deal. And that remains the case till now.

The closest they got to toppling the mighty Bayern’s reign in the Bundesliga? Well, it was just last year.

Remember when I said it took two to make the final day miracle work? Well, Dortmund was the other factor in the equation.

All Dortmund needed was one point to secure the title. The elusive cup that has slipped away from their fingers time and time again. Led by the talismanic Marco Reus, the prodigal son of Dortmund, it all seemed fitting. A fairytale end of the perennial nightmare. But alas, life isn’t all about the happy endings.

Heartbreak ensued as Dortmund crumbed under the pressure and with each ticking second, the pain set in deeper until they eventually lost out on the coveted title to their eternal rivals, once again. The circle of life for Dortmund as always.

But, Dortmund manager Edin Terzic is no man to give in. A protege of Jurgen Klopp, Terzic, the lifelong BVB fan, is highly regarded for his tactical knowledge and his ability to develop young players which is compatible with the club’s mindset and reputation toward the growth of rising stars alongside attempting to achieve sports success.

And that is exactly what Dortmund has been indulging in. Building a system and a team, rather than focusing on the superstar, contrary to their rivals Bayern.

READ: Marco Reus Steps Down as Borussia Dortmund Captain After Last Day Bundesliga Collapse

But, do not take Terzic for a fool. He very well understands the sheer dominance that star power can bring about. When asked about superstar striker Harry Kane, he said, “it will be difficult to stop Harry Kane… we need to do it as a team, as a group, with good positioning.”

“He not only scores goals, but he sets them up as well,” Terzic said, pointing to Kane’s five assists in the league this season.

Credit where credit is due. And if anyone dares to question the success of Dortmund and their pragmatic ideology, well Terzic will let the results speak for themselves. An undefeated season in the Bundesliga so far, and well alive in the Champions League, as the likes of Julian Brandt, Nmecha, and Can take the helm from their beloved talisman, Marco Reus to keep pushing for that ever-elusive title.

But, a new challenge has arisen as well. One who has paved his own way, similar to Dortmund. Xabi Alonso and Leverkusen have taken the Bundesliga by storm and continue to reign supreme over both. And with the rise of clubs like Stuttgart, who have also breached into the top four early on in the season, it seems as if change is around the corner. But, it is still too early to tell.

“Obviously Alonso has come in and taken over. He did well last season and he’s doing perfectly well this season… He’s in there, he’s training in there and he’s showing these young players…But, they’ve still got Bayern, Stuttgart, and Dortmund breathing down their neck. And it has just been nine games into the season. So, there is a long way to go,” exclaimed Phelan.

With the season having barely taken shape and the title race already neck and neck, der Klassiker will be a spectacle to witness and experience as always. But who amongst the two will be the point of difference? Well, we shall know tonight as Dortmund takes on Bayern at the Signal Iduna Park.

The Bundesliga Der Klassiker between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich will be aired on Sony Sports Network on 4th November 2023 from 11:00 PM IST onwards on Sony Sports Ten 5 and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD. Football Extraaa for Der Klassiker will have a pre, mid and post-show that will be broadcast on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD and HD from 10:00 PM onwards.