Another exciting chapter of Der Klassiker will take place on 30 November 2024, when Borussia Dortmund will play Bayern Munich at Signal Iduna Park in the Bundesliga.
With two of the Bundesliga’s top scorers, Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy, going head to head, this game is set to be dramatic, with plenty of goals and an intriguing battle of tactics.
As we will see in this analysis, Dortmund hopes to capitalize on its impressive home form and dynamic forward line.
At the same time, Bayern will aim to maintain their dominance in the league with a potent attack and a solid defence.
In this tactical analysis, we will see how this clash shapes up tactically for both sides.
Borussia Dortmund Vs FC Bayern Potential Lineups
BVB Lineup:
Kobel (c) – Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini – Nmecha, Sabitzer – Beier, Brandt, Gittens – Guirassy
Out:
Can
Doubtful:
Adeyemi, Brandt
Coach:
FC Bayern Lineup:
Neuer (c) – Guerreiro, Upamecano, Kim, Davies – Kimmich, Goretzka – Olise, Musiala, Gnabry – Kane
Out:
Ito, Palhinha, Pavlović, Stanišić, Ulreich
Doubtful:
None
Coach:
BVB’s Current Form
Signal Iduna Park is once again proving to be a fortress for Borussia Dortmund this season.
With an unblemished home record across all competitions, Nuri Şahin’s team shines in the electric atmosphere of the famed Yellow Wall.
Dortmund has scored 26 goals while conceding only seven in eight home matches, which shows that they can really dominate games at home.
The energy from their fans could be a critical factor in their quest to secure their first home win over Bayern in over six years.
Dortmund’s style, which is based on possession (they average 60% possession at home), allows them to dictate the tempo and pin opponents back.
This has been instrumental in their attacking success.
Against Bayern’s high press and compact defensive structure, it will be essential to keep hold of the ball while avoiding costly turnovers.
Sehrou Guirassy has been Dortmund’s standout attacker this season, with six Bundesliga goals to his name.
Guirassy is known for his aerial ability and clinical finishing, and he has proven to be a reliable option in big moments, particularly at home.
His ability to make decisive strikes—like his headed winners against Leipzig and Bochum—will be crucial against Bayern, who are susceptible to quick counterattacks and crosses into the box.
Guirassy’s battle with Bayern’s defensive duo of Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim will be a key subplot.
Dortmund will look to supply him through crosses and cutbacks from wide players like Jamie Gittens and Ramy Bensebaini.
With Emre Can suspended, Dortmund’s midfield pivots will be Marcel Sabitzer and Felix Nmecha, who will try to break Bayern’s rhythm in the middle.
Sabitzer has the experience and ability to play incisive passes forward, so he’ll bring a creative edge to the game.
Thanks to his work rate and physical presence, Nmecha will be crucial in disrupting Bayern’s attacking transitions.
Dortmund is second in the league for pressing efficiency (PPDA 10.3) and will need to use aggressive counter-pressing to stop Bayern from building up play.
Şahin’s team is also good at creating chances through dribbles and individual brilliance, particularly in high-pressure areas close to the opposition’s goal.
We’re still not sure if Julian Brandt will be available, but if he is, his vision and ability to find space between the lines could help us unlock Bayern’s defence.
Bayern’s high defensive line is effective but leaves gaps that can be exploited through quick transitions.
Dortmund will try to use Gittens’s and Adeyemi’s speed (if he’s fit) to attack the gaps left by the full-backs when they push forward.
Dortmund could have the most success with direct balls over the top and quick counterattacks, especially given Bayern’s vulnerability to conceding counterattacking goals (six so far this season).
FC Bayern’s Current Form
Bayern Munich has been the Bundesliga’s standout team this season, leading the league in goals scored (36) and goal differential (+29).
At the heart of this success story is Harry Kane, who has been nothing short of sensational.
The England captain has scored 14 goals in 11 league matches, including five on the road, and has a knack for delivering in big games.
Kane’s ability to drop deep and link up with Bayern’s creative midfielders, like Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise, makes him a real asset on the pitch.
Kane scored a hat-trick in the first Klassiker last season, helping Bayern to a 4-0 win against Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park.
His physicality, movement, and composure in front of goal make him the key figure in Bayern’s attack.
Dortmund’s defence – anchored by Nico Schlotterbeck – must be at its absolute best to contain him.
Bayern has the best defensive record in the Bundesliga, having only conceded seven goals in 11 games.
Vincent Kompany’s side is great at keeping a high line and stopping opponents with intense pressing.
They also have the best PPDA (8.1) in the league, which shows how quickly they can return to winning the ball and taking control of the game.
Bayern’s defensive strength is backed up by Manuel Neuer’s leadership, who is still a great shot-stopper and organiser.
However, Dortmund’s pace and directness in transition could be an issue if Bayern’s press is bypassed.
With João Palhinha and Aleksandar Pavlović out of action, Bayern’s midfield pairing of Kimmich and Leon Goretzka has had to step up.
Kimmich’s vision and range of passing help Bayern control games, while Goretzka’s runs into the box add another dimension to their attack.
Jamal Musiala has contributed five goals and two assists this season, and Michael Olise, who brings a lot of unpredictability to the team, provide the creativity.
Kingsley Coman and Alphonso Davies are providing width and penetration on the flanks.
Davies’ ability to overlap and deliver crosses will be key, while Coman’s dribbling and directness can stretch Dortmund’s defence.
However, Bayern’s full-backs must be on their toes to prevent Dortmund’s wingers from exploiting gaps.
Bayern must work hard to build from the back against Dortmund’s high press.
Kimmich and Goretzka will need to give their defenders some options to avoid pressure, while Kane’s hold-up play could relieve pressure and start counterattacks.
Bayern’s superior passing accuracy and ability to play through tight spaces should help them deal with Dortmund’s pressing game.
While Dortmund has been strong at home, they’ve also shown some weaknesses in their defence, especially against better teams.
On average, Dortmund has conceded 1.6 goals per game, and they’ve been undone by lapses in concentration in some crucial moments.
Bayern will try to take advantage of these weaknesses with passing and off-the-ball runs from Kane, Musiala, and Olise.
BVB’s Potential Match Plan
Dortmund’s best bet is to use their speed and agility to counterattack and take advantage of Bayern’s high defensive line.
Bayern’s full-backs, particularly Alphonso Davies and Raphaël Guerreiro, push high up the pitch, so there are often gaps in behind.
Dortmund needs to make the most of this opportunity by quickly switching from defence to attack.
I think we can count on Serhou Guirassy, Jamie Gittens, and Karim Adeyemi (if he’s fit) to make the most of any open spaces and be quick on their feet when catching Bayern off guard.
Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer can help out in midfield by sending sharp passes behind Bayern’s defence.
Fast, direct passes out wide or centrally will test Bayern’s defence and create one-on-one situations.
Bayern’s build-up play through their centre-backs (Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim) and a pivot is a key part of their strategy.
Dortmund needs to coordinate a high press to disrupt this rhythm and prevent the other team from smoothly moving the ball up the pitch.
Sabitzer, Felix Nmecha, and Brandt must apply strong and assertive pressure, cutting off the passing lanes to the pivot.
Guirassy can shadow Bayern’s deepest defender, which should force errors or rushed clearances.
Dortmund should press in waves, with the front three leading the initial charge.
This will force Bayern to play longer, more speculative balls, which could isolate Harry Kane and reduce his effectiveness.
Bayern’s physical dominance in open play can be offset by making the most of set-piece opportunities, especially given Guirassy’s aerial threat.
Dortmund should focus on delivering high-quality, in-swinging balls into the six-yard box to test Neuer and force errors.
Another way they could keep things interesting is to use short corners or set pieces they’ve practised before.
If Bayern takes the lead early on, Dortmund could drop deeper to pressure them and create space for counterattacks.
Bringing on players like Donyell Malen could give Dortmund the fresh legs they need to exploit Bayern’s tiring defence as the game goes on.
FC Bayern’s Potential Match Plan
FC Bayern’s ability to control the ball (around 66% on average) means they can set the pace of the game, put pressure on Dortmund and stop them from counterattacking.
The main thing is to keep control and keep possession moving by recycling it.
Jamal Musiala‘s movement between the lines gives Bayern some creative options for breaking through Dortmund’s defensive block.
Bayern should focus on making quick, short passes and using overloads in the centre to draw Dortmund’s midfielders out of position.
Another thing they could do is use Manuel Neuer as an extra passing option when they’re under pressure to help them keep hold of the ball.
Bayern’s wingers, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry (or Leroy Sané), and full-backs must keep stretching Dortmund’s defence by staying wide and exploiting the flanks.
This strategy should create space centrally for Kane and Musiala to operate.
It’s important that the wingers keep dribbling and Davies keeps overlapping to create mismatches against Dortmund’s full-backs.
Bayern should focus on crossing into the box for Kane and using cutbacks from wide areas in their game plan.
The wingers’ ability to beat defenders one-on-one will be key to destabilising Dortmund’s defensive structure.
Dortmund’s full-backs (Ryerson and Bensebaini) are physical and can handle wide threats if Bayern’s wingers are isolated without midfield support.
Dortmund have a history of making mistakes when they’re under pressure, particularly when they’re trying to build from the back.
Bayern needs to apply some serious pressure to force turnovers in dangerous areas.
Kane, Musiala, and Olise should be ready to capitalize on Dortmund’s backline’s loose balls or poor decisions.
Bayern should focus their press on Schlotterbeck and Sabitzer, who have shown they can be inconsistent under pressure.
We’ll have openings for quick counters if we trap Dortmund on the wings and force them to make hasty clearances.
If Dortmund’s high press is effective, Bayern might bypass their midfield with long balls aimed at Kane, who can hold up play and bring others into the attack.
Substitutions like Thomas Müller could be used to strengthen midfield control in the closing stages.
Conclusion
The tactical battle in this classic match is set to be as exciting as the talent on show.
Dortmund should maximise their ability to disrupt and counter, while Bayern’s precision and dominance in possession could give them the edge.
