The Bundesliga is back in action with another edition of Der Klassiker this weekend as Borussia Dortmund lock horns with Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich side in a crucial encounter at the Signal Iduna Park on Saturday. Both teams have excellent players in their ranks and will want to win this game.
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Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich Preview
Bayern Munich are currently at the top of the Bundesliga standings and have been in excellent form so far this season. The Bavarian giants edged Eintracht Frankfurt to a 3-2 victory in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar result this weekend.
Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, are in second place in the league table at the moment and have stepped up to the plate so far this season. The Ruhr Valley outfit slumped to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League this week and will need to work hard to bounce back in this match.
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Bayern Munich have a good historical record in Der Klassiker and have won 68 out of the 138 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Borussia Dortmund’s 33 victories.
Bayern Munich have remained unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions and have won five of these games, with their previous defeat coming by a 2-1 margin at the hands of FC Augsburg in a Bundesliga encounter last month.
Borussia Dortmund were on an unbeaten run of five matches on the trot in all competitions and had won four of these games before they suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League in their previous game.
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich Prediction
Bayern Munich have thrived under Vincent Kompany so far this season and will be intent on making the most of their recent form. Harry Kane scored an impressive brace in his previous game and will look to replicate his heroics this weekend.
Borussia Dortmund can pull off an upset on their day but will be up against a powerful opponent on Saturday. Bayern Munich are the better team at the moment and should be able to win this game.
Both Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane have been linked with summer moves to Barcelona – here’s how they could line-up next season
Barcelona’s line-up could look a lot different next season(Image: Angel Martinez, Getty Images)
Barcelona could have a distinctly English feel next season, with both Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane being linked with transfer to the Camp Nou.
Rashford, currently on loan at the Spanish side from Manchester United, is pushing for a permanent deal, while Kane’s future remains uncertain, with his Bayern Munich contract due to expire in just over a year.
The idea of both England internationals playing in Catalonia is plausible, leaving Barcelona coach Hansi Flick with some major decisions regarding squad planning this summer.
Rashford has expressed his desire to remain at Barcelona beyond the current season – and he increasingly looks likely to. Reports suggest the La Liga club are prepared to trigger the £26million buyout clause in Rashford’s contract, a sum that United have refused to lower.
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Over recent months, the two sides have discussed terms to make a permanent transfer feasible, following Rashford’s impressive performances in Spain. The 28-year-old has scored 10 goals and provided 13 assists in 34 matches this season, leaving Barcelona highly satisfied with his contributions.
In a recent interview with SPORT, Rashford said: “Of course, what I want is to stay at Barca. It’s an end goal, but it’s not the reason why I’m training hard and giving it my best.”
Kane’s long-term situation, meanwhile, is becoming more uncertain. By season’s end, he will have just 12 months left on his Bayern contract – a similar scenario that forced Tottenham to sell the striker in 2023 to prevent losing him for free a year later.
Barcelona have emerged as a likely option for the England captain, especially as star forward Robert Lewandowski nears his 38th birthday and the end of his Camp Nou contract, which ends this season. The Poland international is still scoring goals, but Barcelona are facing a ‘stick or twist’ decision regarding his future.
Should they allow Lewandowski’s contract to run out, they would need a proven, ready-to-go replacement – and Kane fits that profile perfectly, having consistently found the net in both England and Germany.
However, if a summer deal for Kane cannot be completed, the club could contemplate offering Lewandowski a last-minute contract extension. Kane recently downplayed speculation over a move, saying he is “very happy” in Bavaria.
“I haven’t heard anything about it,” Kane said when asked about links to Barca. “My father and brother handle everything, but they haven’t said anything to me. As I’ve already said, I’m very happy here at Bayern. I’m focused on this season and my time at Bayern. I take it as a compliment.”
Kane has been in remarkable form this term, scoring 43 goals in 36 appearances. Negotiations for a contract renewal are reportedly ongoing, but if Bayern stumble, Barcelona could act to bring the 32-year-old to Spain.
A transfer to the Camp Nou would make Kane only the third English player to represent the Blaugrana in the last 100 years. Rashford became the second earlier this season, following Gary Lineker, who netted 52 goals in 138 games between 1986 and 1989.
Beyond Kane, Barcelona have been linked with Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. The former Manchester City player, who scored 29 goals across all competitions last season, is said to be open to a move. Yet prying him away from Atleti will be expensive, with reports suggesting a bid of over £80m might be necessary to secure his transfer.
They’re also in the market for defensive reinforcements, with Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni high on their wish list. The centre back, who has been linked with several Premier League clubs, is expected to command a hefty fee, with sources suggesting Inter would demand upwards of £70m.
A move for Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, however, might be more realistic – particularly if Barcelona are shelling out £80m+ for Alvarez. The German defender could be available for as little as £20–30m, with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.
Elsewhere, Barcelona are exploring another contract situation. Bernardo Silva’s deal with Manchester City expires this summer and the Catalan club have long admired the Portugal international. With all that in mind, here’s how Barcelona could line-up next season:
Joan Garcia (GK), Jules Kounde (RB), Pau Cubarsi (CB), Nico Schlotterbeck (CB), Alejandro Balde (LB), Pedri (CM), Frenkie de Jong (CM), Bernardo Silva (CM), Marcus Rashford (LW), Julian Alvarez (CF), Lamine Yamal (LW)
