Union Berlin ahead Benedict Hollerbach (in crimson) has made a vital contribution to his aspect’s fortunes this season. (INA FASSBENDER)
Bayern Munich’s dwelling ‘Klassiker’ conflict with Borussia Dortmund takes place on Saturday in opposition to the backdrop of potential Champions League elimination for each side.
The conflict, which has emerged because the Bundesliga’s showpiece rivalry over the previous 15 years since Dortmund gained back-to-back titles below Jurgen Klopp, comes in the course of each golf equipment’ Champions League quarter-finals.
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On Tuesday, an injury-decimated Bayern misplaced 2-1 at dwelling in opposition to Inter Milan within the first leg.
Within the second leg, Vincent Kompany’s aspect might want to win by two targets to keep away from further time, or by one and hope to triumph on penalties.
The Bavarians can take hope their file on the San Siro in opposition to Inter: three wins and a attract 5 video games. The Milan stadium was additionally the scene of Bayern’s 2001 Champions League ultimate victory over Valencia.
The state of affairs for Dortmund, Champions League finalists final season, is way extra dire.
Niko Kovac’s males have been thumped 4-0 in Barcelona and might want to pull off one of many greatest turnarounds in Champions League historical past to succeed in the semi-finals.
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Complicating issues for each Bayern and Dortmund is that there’s nonetheless a lot at stake within the league.
With six video games remaining, Bayern could possibly be simply three factors away from second-placed Bayer Leverkusen at kick-off, ought to Xabi Alonso’s aspect beat Union Berlin earlier on Saturday.
Bayern can’t afford a slip in opposition to Dortmund. Leverkusen have gained 14 of their previous 18 video games and have misplaced simply as soon as.
Wanting to maintain their slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive, Dortmund will go to Munich to battle for each level.
Dortmund sit eighth, 5 factors off the highest 4.
Recent from the humbling in Barcelona, Kovac warned his aspect may count on extra of the identical on Saturday, saying “Bayern are on the identical degree as Barcelona. We have to do higher defensively.”
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“A defeat is all the time a setback, however the Bundesliga is a special story. Bayern are combating for the title and we all know it won’t be simple.”
A slight glimmer of hope for Dortmund might be their 2-0 win in the identical fixture final season, the primary time they’d gained a league recreation in Munich since 2014.
Leverkusen’s bid to chase down Bayern seems to be set for a well timed increase, with Florian Wirtz anticipated to return from damage.
On Tuesday, Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes instructed reporters Wirtz “might be match to play this weekend, if nothing occurs.”
One participant little doubt awaiting Wirtz’s return is striker Patrik Schick. Eight of Schick’s 17 league targets this season have been arrange by Wirtz, with the Czech solely scoring as soon as for the reason that Germany midfielder went down with damage.
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Participant to observe: Benedict Hollerbach (Union Berlin)
Union Berlin ahead Benedict Hollerbach may make a case because the participant most chargeable for his group’s fortunes within the Bundesliga this season.
His eight targets and three assists in 28 video games not solely symbolize a stable return for a relegation-challenged membership; they’ve been essential in serving to Union transfer away from the drop zone.
Hollerbach has scored the one purpose in two 1-0 wins this season, together with final Sunday in opposition to Wolfsburg, in addition to the equaliser in 1-1 attracts in opposition to Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt.
He scored and laid on an help in a 2-1 win over Mainz in January and registered a brace in a 4-0 win over Hoffenheim.
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The Berliners aren’t mathematically secure — they’re 11 factors away from the relegation playoff spot with six video games remaining — but when they do keep up, they’ll have Hollerbach to thank.
Key stats
10 – Bayern’s Michael Olise has 10 league assists, equal prime with Wirtz.
1 in 13 – Bayern have misplaced simply one in all their previous 13 video games in opposition to Dortmund in all competitions.
8 – Each promoted earlier than the season, eight factors separate Fifteenth-placed St Pauli and Holstein Kiel, who’re final. The 2 conflict in Kiel on Saturday.
Fixtures (1330 GMT until acknowledged)
Friday
Wolfsburg v RB Leipzig (1830)
Saturday
Hoffenheim v Mainz, Borussia Moenchengladbach v Freiburg, Bochum v Augsburg, Bayer Leverkusen v Union Berlin, Holstein Kiel v St Pauli, Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (1630)
Sunday
Stuttgart v Werder Bremen, Eintracht Frankfurt v Heidenheim (1530)
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