Vincent Kompany, manager of Bayern Munich, asserts that triumphing in Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund is worthy of its own title.
This weekend, the top two teams in the Bundesliga will clash, with Bayern aiming to extend their lead over their closest rivals to 11 points.
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Kompany remarked at his pre-match press conference, “It’s a Klassiker. It holds great significance, especially as a top-of-the-table match right now, and we can elevate its importance.”
“It’s crucial for the Bundesliga to treat this as a major event—teams should have no fear. They need to adopt a mindset of wanting to defeat Dortmund, and vice versa.”
“That’s why this clash is so significant. From the start, I’ve maintained that the Klassiker carries its own title. The reality is that these matches are so pivotal that they deserve their own kind of recognition.”
“Regardless of the outcome, our mentality remains unchanged; we are determined to continue our momentum. We’re on the right track and intend to maintain it.”
Dortmund is recovering from a recent Champions League exit at the hands of Atalanta, where they squandered a 2-0 lead from the first leg.
“It’s certainly a setback, especially since that was a match where Dortmund could have advanced, which undoubtedly has a mental impact. However, the outcome can influence us positively or negatively,” said Kompany.
“What we can control is how we prepare for this match. We’ve had a productive week, especially with the energy surrounding a Klassiker. There were times in training where we felt that competitive spirit that I adore.”
“We’ve prepared thoroughly for this match and are eager to carry that into the game.”
Dortmund is the only Bundesliga team this season that remains unbeaten at home, while Bayern has yet to be defeated in away games.
Goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer‘s availability is uncertain after a calf muscle injury sidelined him for two weeks. Meanwhile, backup goalkeeper Jonas Urbig filled in during last week’s 3-2 win over Frankfurt.
Kompany stated, “[Neuer’s recovery] is progressing well, but it might not be soon enough for tomorrow’s match. I’d like to discuss this further with Manu.”
With uncertainty surrounding Neuer’s future as his contract is set to expire at the season’s end, this could be his last Klassiker for Bayern.
Hiroki Ito is out “for the time being” owing to a hamstring injury, adding to his series of setbacks after an earlier foot fracture sidelined him for several months.
Dortmund’s coach, Niko Kovac, emphasized that his team is eager to move past their defensive issues against Atalanta and to focus on delivering a “100% good game from start to finish” in this match.
“We’re all looking forward to it—my entire team, the staff. We want to show a vastly different performance than what we exhibited in Bergamo,” Kovac said.
He also noted that defender Niklas Süle will again miss the match due to a thigh injury sustained prior to the Atalanta fixture.
Reports by PA and The Associated Press have contributed to this article.