Borussia Dortmund host fierce rivals Bayern Munich on Saturday evening at Signal Iduna Park in a decisive Klassiker clash in the 24th round of the Bundesliga.
For Dortmund, the match represents a pivotal moment in their fading title hopes.
Trailing league leaders Bayern by eight points with just 11 rounds remaining, any slip-up could effectively end their challenge.
The encounter offers a final opportunity to cut the deficit and keep the title race alive.
Dortmund’s ambitions suffered a setback in Europe after their Champions League campaign ended in dramatic fashion with a 4-1 defeat away to Atalanta BC, exiting 4-3 on aggregate following a stoppage-time penalty.
Domestically, however, they have shown resilience, remaining unbeaten in the league since the start of the year. Their only Bundesliga defeat this season came against Bayern in October, adding extra motivation for revenge.
The club’s current tally of 52 points mirrors their total at the same stage of the 2011-12 season, when they last lifted the title under Jürgen Klopp, rekindling hopes of a late surge.
Bayern, meanwhile, arrive with momentum and confidence. The Bavarians secured automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16, avoiding the playoff round and benefiting from additional preparation time.
They have responded to a brief dip in form with three consecutive league victories, scoring 11 goals in the process.
Leading the charge is Harry Kane, who netted twice in the recent win over Eintracht Frankfurt to take his league tally to 28 goals.
The England captain is closing in on the Bundesliga’s single-season scoring record of 41 goals set by Robert Lewandowski.
With pride, history, and the title race at stake, Saturday’s Klassiker promises high intensity and potentially decisive consequences in the battle for the Bundesliga crown.
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