Pre-Match Report
Borussia against Bayern: the facts ahead of the crunch match
The scenario: Second against first: Borussia Dortmund (52 points) and Bayern Munich (60) have a combined total of 112 points. Only twice has a top duo had more points: in 2015/16 (Bayern and Borussia, 116) and 2023/24 (Leverkusen and Bayern, 114). Those are the only two seasons in which the second-placed team had more points than Kovac's team has now. Since the three-point rule was introduced (1995/96), Borussia Dortmund's current total of 52 points has been enough to lead the table in half of all seasons (15 out of 30).
Home/away: In terms of home form, both teams have been equally matched at the top for weeks. Munich have more points at home (31) because they have already played one more match in their own stadium than BVB, who have 29 points from 11 matches and are the only team still unbeaten at home. Bayern are clearly the best away from home (nine wins, two draws). They are unbeaten in 20 away games across two seasons. Their only away defeat under Vincent Kompany came in December 2024 at 1. FSV Mainz 05 (1-2).
Head-to-head: In Dortmund, there have been 16 BVB wins and 19 Bayern wins in this fixture (21 games have ended in a draw). BVB have suffered more home defeats against Bayern than against any other opponent. Borussia have failed to score against Bayern 33 times in the Bundesliga – conversely, no other team has kept more clean sheets against Bayern than BVB (23 times).
Statistics: Borussia Dortmund have scored 13 times in the last 15 minutes this season, five of which have come in added time. Munich's Harry Kane has already scored more goals (28) than in the entire 24/25 season (26).
Reverse fixture: The crunch match on matchday 7 ended in a 1-2 (0-1) defeat for BVB. 75,000 spectators watched an exciting game right up to the final whistle, in which BVB fought passionately but were unable to find their deserved equaliser after improving in the second half. Julian Brandt scored the equaliser with his first touch of the ball.
Last season: The 111th Bundesliga clash between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich ended in a draw in November 2024. BVB took the lead in the first half through a goal from Jamie Gittens and held on to this lead until the 85th minute but ultimately had to settle for a 1-1 (1-0) draw. Marcel Sabitzer had a chance to make it 2-0 after an hour, but then the visitors grew stronger and stronger and equalised in the 85th minute through Jamal Musiala.
The biggest home win: 3 June 1967. At the Rote Erde stadium, Borussia won 4-0 thanks to two goals each from Lothar Emmerich and Reinhold Wosab.
Compiled by Boris Rupert