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Dortmund – FC Bayern: Bellingham vs. Musiala – duel of the premature tires

So Edin Terzic didn’t really want to dissolve the background of this remarkable scene. It was “something personal” and doesn’t belong in public, said Borussia Dortmund’s coach when asked about Jude Bellingham’s goal celebration. After his 2-0 win in Seville on Wednesday in the Champions League, the England international literally broke away from his team-mates Emre Can and Salih Özcan and ran across the pitch to Terzic to celebrate the goal with him.

It might have something to do with gratitude for the confidence the coach is showing in the 19-year-old midfielder. Bellingham has been the third captain since the start of the season. He wore the captain’s armband on Wednesday in the 4-1 draw in Seville, when Marco Reus and Mats Hummels were absent. “You saw why,” Terzic said. Bellingham has long since taken on a role that has been vacant at BVB in recent years: that of the emotionally rousing leader who sets the direction on the pitch. In overzealousness, he sometimes overshoots the target and pushes other players together. Bellingham is what coaches refer to as “Aggressive Leaders.” They are rare, but at such a young age they usually don’t exist at all.

Duel of the young stars: Bayern’s Jamal Musiala (2nd from left) is attacked by Dortmund’s Jew Bellingham

Quelle: picture alliance/ dpa

On Saturday, the British teenager will meet FC Bayern with BVB (6.30 p.m., Sky). It’s the greatest thing the Bundesliga has to offer. For several years now, the meeting of the most successful clubs of the past decades has been marketed by the German Football League (DFL) as the German “Clásico” – based on the Spanish top game between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. “It’s a special game,” said Terzic.

Bellingham’s sensational interview

For Bellingham, who has long since become one of the most sought-after players in Europe, it will be the fifth attempt to win against FC Bayern. In the first four he had failed, albeit mostly just, because of it.

Nevertheless, he caused a sensation in the top games – once even in the follow-up. After BVB was defeated by Bayern 3-2 in a tough fight in December 2021, Bellingham gave a sensational interview. For the first time, the German public got an impression of the kind of volcano brewing inside him. “You give the biggest game in Germany to a referee who has already fixed a game. What do you expect from that?” he said after referee Felix Zwayer had withheld a penalty kick from Dortmund, but at the same time conceded a – extremely controversial – hand penalty to Bayern. The allusion to Zwayer’s involvement in the 2005 Robert Hoyzer manipulation scandal made waves.

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For Bellingham, his temper is both a blessing and a curse. It ensures that he moves in the border area – but also drives him to top performances, which have long aroused the interest of international top clubs such as Real Madrid or Liverpool FC. Dortmund are very happy that they managed to extend his contract until 2025. “I’m just thinking about BVB, the challenges and the goals with the club,” he said recently.

Bellingham may have to relinquish the captain’s armband on Saturday. Marco Reus, the regular captain, is still missing despite having recovered from a muscle injury. But at least Mats Hummels, the deputy, could make his comeback. With regard to the stability of the team, routine would be extremely important. Because one thing is clear, according to BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl: “We have to show an even better performance than in Seville.”

Market value of Bayern is almost twice as high

Although both teams are tied on points, there are significant differences between the clubs. The economic gap has widened continuously since 2012, the last BVB championship to date. According to Transfermarkt.de, the virtual market values ​​of Bayern players are almost twice as high as those of Dortmund (858.70 to 483.15 million euros). The clubs are also worlds apart when it comes to budgets. The “Clásico” is also a fight between David and Goliath.

This awareness also gives rise to the self-image of the people of Dortmund. “You know what has happened in Germany over the past ten years,” said Edin Terzic, alluding to Munich’s dominance. But: There is a great longing for a change of power at the top. BVB wants to show that they are ready to do everything in their power to achieve it. “There’s a chance we’ll be three points ahead of Bayern on Saturday night,” said Terzic.

However, there are also parallels: Both teams have already had periods of weakness in the current season. It was 13 years ago that neither team finished first or second in a direct encounter. The reasons for this are partly identical: Both lost their most dominant player personalities in the summer. Dortmund with Erling Haaland, Munich with Robert Lewandowski.

The phase of emancipation was correspondingly difficult. In the case of Dortmund, a solution to the problems may not have crystallized until Wednesday: Youssoufa Moukoko, 17, showed for the first time a performance in the center of attack that can be described as fully mature. But the talent will most likely continue to be subject to fluctuations in the future.

Bayern should play with double leadership

Bayern, on the other hand, still attack without a centre-forward. Julian Nagelsmann’s team is expected to have a two-man lead on Saturday – albeit consisting of a winger (Sadio Mané) and a midfielder (Leroy Sané). Despite all the quality, that requires a completely different tactical approach than in previous years. In the past few months, this has resulted in some considerable frictional losses. Thomas Müller should also be absent on Saturday, who was able to take a free test on Friday after his corona infection, but still feels slight symptoms.

The Summit will be landmark in many ways. There will also be indications of who is better able to adapt to changes. But it is already noticeable: Both clubs are increasingly relying on young, hungry players. In this respect, Dortmund have set the pace in recent years, focusing on promoting top talent – ​​such as Bellingham and Moukoko. Bavaria’s CEO Oliver Kahn has repeatedly emphasized in recent months that he wants to go in a similar direction. The signing of Frenchman Mathys Tel, 17, is evidence of this new strategy.

The most exciting player on Saturday should therefore be Jamal Musiala of all people besides Bellingham. The 19-year-old offensive player has long been the “key player for the decisive moments” in Munich and in the German national team, as Thomas Müller described it. “His status with us is extremely high,” said Nagelsmann about Musiala. One can be “extremely happy that Bellingham and Musiala are playing in the Bundesliga”.

One of the special features is that the extremely young all-rounder from BVB and the four-month-older offensive player from Bayern have known each other for a long time. They became friends while working together in the youth national teams in England to fulfill their dream of being on the big football stage. On Saturday she will rest for at least 90 minutes.

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