In the past, FC Bayern Munich has shown strong nerves in top games. But can numbers support the fact that the record champions always perform when it matters? Also in a direct comparison with BVB?
Great feelings in the “classic”: Thomas Müller (left) and David Alaba.
imago images (2)
When the whistle sounds on Saturday evening (6.30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker) in Munich’s Allianz Arena, the best team from the first half of the season (Bayern have scored 36 points) and the strongest team from the second half of the season (BVB have collected 22 points so far) will be fighting for the lead in the standings . It is certainly extraordinary that the Dortmunders travel to the Bavarian capital as the front runners – for the 174th time in Bundesliga history.
But can BVB also claim its place in the sun? In the past, FCB did not show any weaknesses in top games: In the most recent 19 duels, the German record champions did not concede a defeat if they were represented as first or second in such a comparison (13 wins, six draws). Bayern conceded the last defeat in such a constellation on Matchday 18 2014/15 – when pursuers Wolfsburg duped the leaders 4-1 on a Friday evening in front of their home crowd.
What speaks for BVB: Of the most recent 21 duels between a leader and a second, the respective pursuer only won twice. However, the name of the second player affected was – of course – Bayern Munich. The last time Dortmund played as leaders against Bayern was on the 28th matchday of the 2018/19 season. At that time, BVB – meanwhile nine points ahead of their rivals – went down 0:5 in Munich, lost first place and could not regain it.
Six times first to Munich – only one BVB victory
In total, BVB, often the number one challenger, traveled to Munich six times as leaders, but only won once: In the 2010/11 season, the Westphalians secured a 3-1 away win on matchday 24. At the end of the season, BVB was ten points ahead of their great modern-day rival.
The recent past in direct clashes speaks clearly for Bayern: They have all won the last eight home games against Dortmund and always scored at least two goals (33 in total, an average of 4.1 per game). BVB only has a longer series of defeats in Bremen, where the black and yellow didn’t get a single point in ten games between 1979 and 1989.
The record champions can perform when it matters most. Since 1995, FCB have won all six Bundesliga home games after a change of coach during the season, and since 1998 they have also won 19 of 23 games after losing top spot (three draws, one defeat). Borussia looks in vain for a good omen.
In the three of the most recent 30 guest appearances in Munich, in which BVB had successfully more than defied the record champions, the coach was Jürgen Klopp. That meant 3:1 in the 2010/11 season, 1:0 in the following season and 3:0 in the 2013/14 season. This time Edin Terzic is on the bench and would like to improve Dortmund’s frightening record in Munich.
But this task could hardly be greater. Bayern performs in top games – a fact, not a misconception.
