German football icon Lothar Matthäus has declared Bayern Munich to be “far ahead” of rivals Borussia Dortmund, despite both clubs heading into their highly anticipated Der Klassiker clash level on points in the Bundesliga. Bayern currently sit atop the league table, leading Dortmund only on goal difference.
Matthäus’s Assessment of the Rivals
The 65-year-old legend offered his perspective on the upcoming fixture, explaining why he believes Bayern hold a significant advantage. Matthäus stated he understands why Borussia Dortmund, under manager Niko Kovac, often adopts a more defensive strategy. He suggested that Dortmund’s squad is not equipped to play with the same attacking flair as teams like Bayern, Barcelona, or Paris Saint-Germain, citing financial differences as a contributing factor.
Matthäus acknowledged Kovac’s ability to maximise his team’s potential, describing Dortmund’s style as “compact, defensively, disciplined and aggressively.” While recognising the quality of Dortmund’s attacking players, such as Serhou Guirassy, Matthäus maintained that the team is “clearly inferior to Bayern, particularly in attack.”
Bayern’s Dominant Form
Bayern Munich’s recent form further supports Matthäus’s assessment. Their dominant 6-1 victory over 1. FC Magdeburg in the DFB-Pokal earlier in the week showcased their quality and relentless goal-scoring hunger. Matthäus noted that Bayern did not ease off despite the upcoming Klassiker, instead delivering a “real show” for their fans. The reigning champions also boast an formidable home record at the Allianz Arena this season, having won five of their six games across all competitions with an impressive 31-5 goal difference. This strong home performance makes Bayern Munich “clear favourites” for the Der Klassiker, according to Matthäus.