(Football news) Bayern Munich take on Bundesliga title rivals Borussia Dortmund in one of the most crucial Der Klassiker in recent times. Following the ruthless sacking of Julian Nagelsmann and being replaced by ex-Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, it will be a very intriguing watch. The 32 times champions trail Dortmund who are on top of the table, having won nine of their last 10 league games. Bayern Munich took some drastic steps to prevent their season taking the wrong path.

In one of the most bizarre decisions, 35-year-old head coach Julian Nagelsmann was sacked and was quickly hired by a former Champions League winner to take his place. After a surprising 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen last time out, the Rekordmeister have more points in 10 matches this year than in 15 games they played before the winter break. But off-field concerns about Nagelsmann saw Bayern’s hierarchy act quickly.

Tuchel steps in as the head coach at Allianz Arena, with the destiny of the title still to be decided. Defeat on Saturday would be a big blow in the hopes of wrapping up number 11 in May. Despite some setbacks, Bayern have scored the most goals in Bundesliga, 72 goals this season and have only failed to score once in 37 competitive games of their 2022-23 campaign.

Last time they faced each other, Dortmund managed to come from two goals down to draw the first Klassiker in October as Anthony Modeste scored a stoppage-time equaliser and snatched a point. At that time the Ruhr valley club were struggling for consistency and were actually more concerned with achieving a top-four finish than pushing for a first title in 11 years as they actually were sixth prior to the World Cup. Suddenly fast forward to March, and BVB are top of the pile for the first time since 2019 by beating Koln 6-1,

Marco Reus surpassed Michael Zorc as the club’s all-time Bundesliga top scorer and most importantly they extended their unbeaten streak in the league to its 10 games as they have won nine games and suffered a draw in the Revierderby. Edin Terzic’s men have also scored 30 goals in 2023 and have posted 10 more points than Bayern over the same period. After 10 years of Bayern dominance, Dortmund know that they have a major task if they are to retain first place for nine more matches.

Although they are playing their best football right now, their recent Champions League exit serves as a reminder of their frailties in the squad. Dortmund face Leipzig in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals next week, as a chance for a domestic double is a possibility and also end their silverware drought, but perhaps the toughest test of all awaits this weekend at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt; Cancelo, Kimmich, Goretzka, Davies; Sane, Muller; Choupo-Moting

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:

Kobel; Wolf, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Bellingham, Can, Guerreiro; Brandt, Haller, Reus

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