Tactical Battles That Will Shape Borussia Dortmund's Clash with Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund will try to narrow the gap to first place in the Bundesliga on Saturday as they play host to Bayern Munich. The visitors are four points clear atop the German league table and are undefeated—a victory on the road could put them out of sight in the title race.
However, BVB will aim to make a competition of it in Saturday's showdown.
The battle on the touchline between coaches Juergen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will be just as influential as the play on the pitch. The two trainers are well renowned for their tactical nous, each having left his mark on football with some innovative playing patterns.
Both sides will be short of key personnel on Saturday, meaning that the trainers in some instances will have to again be creative as they try to create a winning formula. Click "Begin Slideshow" for a look at some of the most crucial tactical battles that will be waged in Saturday's match.
Bayern's Left vs. Dortmund's Right
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Composed of a Ballon d'Or candidate and a player who is fast gaining notoriety as the world's best left-back, Bayern's left flank combination of Franck Ribery and David Alaba is simply world class and serves as the engine for the Bavarians' attack.
The Frenchman has been forced to withdraw from Bayern's squad, but will in all likelihood be replaced by Mario Goetze on the left wing. Like Ribery, Goetze is right footed, principally a playmaker, a brilliant dribbler and passer and simply unstoppable when on form.
Dortmund are very familiar with the quality of Bayern's wing play and in 2010-11 and 2011-12 especially had success locking down the flanks by using defensive wingers. Jakub Blaszczykowski and especially Kevin Grosskreutz were instrumental in helping their full-backs keep Ribery and Arjen Robben quiet. On Saturday, though, Grosskreutz will have to face Bayern in the Bundesliga for the first time as a full-back.
The 25-year-old Grosskreutz has played very well as a deputy for the injured Lukasz Piszczek this season, but to date he is yet to face an elite attacker anywhere near Goetze's class. The ex-BVB man and Alaba will be keen to test their opponents from an early stage.
Marco Reus vs. Rafinha
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With Bastian Schweinsteiger sidelined, Philipp Lahm and Javi Martinez are most likely to play in midfield for Bayern, with Rafinha filling in at right-back. If Bayern have any weakness, it is in the Brazilian's position.
Although Rafinha has experienced a renaissance of form this season, he has not faced many top-class wingers. Marco Reus, Dortmund's biggest threat from midfield, will be his greatest test of the 2013-14 campaign.
Reus has enjoyed a strong run of form this season, although he has looked weary from overuse in recent weeks. He will need to dig deep into his energy reserves and find the same drive that forced Dortmund's equalizer in the 2013 Champions League final if BVB are to stand a chance on Saturday.
Mario Goetze vs. Dortmund Fans
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On May 4, just weeks after Mario Goetze's move from Dortmund to Bayern was made official, the two clubs met at Signal Iduna Park. The home fans greeted the young attacker—who was still in their ranks, but did not play due to injury—with a hostile message.
A banner in the famous south stand read:
"The pursuit of money shows how much heart you really have. Piss off, Goetze!"
Goetze can expect a similar reception on Saturday—the first time he will be available to play against the club he represented from 2001 until July, 2013.
In a recent interview with Kicker, Goetze intimated that his return will not be easy, but that he is ready to face a hostile reception:
"I am really excited about my return to Dortmund. It will probably be one of the most difficult moments of my career.
"I realize that I will not receive the warmest of receptions, but I will have to deal with it as it was my own decision to leave Dortmund."
Some thrive on the scorn of opposing fans; others quake. Saturday will be a big test of Goetze's mettle.
Bayern's Central Attack vs. Dortmund's Makeshift Defense
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Dortmund are in a serious bind right now. Neven Subotic is out for the season with knee ligament damage. His partner in central defense, Mats Hummels, recently broke his foot and won't play before the Bundesliga returns from the winter break in January.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos is the only fit and established center-back in the BVB squad.
Behind the Greek are three options, none of which inspires a particularly great amount of confidence.
There first is 19-year-old Koray Gunter, who just finished serving a suspension for a red card in the 3. Liga and has two minutes of Bundesliga experience.
Another is Marian Sarr, an 18-year-old who has struggled with form and injury and whose highest level of experience is in the 3. Liga.
In all likelihood, Klopp will use Manuel Friedrich, who has been without a club since the end of 2012-13 and was recently drafted as emergency reinforcement.
The other option is to use either Sebastian Kehl—who, due to injury, has not played a single minute of competitive football since September 1—or Sven Bender in central defense.
On the flanks, starting full-backs Lukasz Piszczek and Marcel Schmelzer are also sidelined with injuries. Kevin Grosskreutz, a winger until recently, will replace the Pole. Erik Durm, a striker until this season, will start in place of the German.
Dortmund's defense truly has become a motley crew.
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches available and will be able to select his attack specifically to hit the problem areas of BVB's defense. In all likelihood, the trainer will start the immensely physical Mario Mandzukic to test Friedrich's fitness.
Their head-to-head could decide the match.
