by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Before the German classic between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund this Saturday, 34-year-old Thomas Muller took to social media to remind Bayer Leverkusen: "You are not this season's champion yet!"
Muller's remark, though likely not meant to be taken too seriously, comes with the backdrop of an intriguing Bundesliga season. For the first time in 14 years, neither Bayern nor Dortmund holds the top spot in the league standings. Bayern trails by ten points, while Dortmund sits even further behind with a 20-point gap, with only eight rounds of matches remaining in the 2023-2024 season.
With Saturday's match becoming a matter of prestige, both clubs also have their sights set on the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Realistically, the Champions League represents their last chance to secure silverware this season.
Leverkusen has stepped up to fill the void left by Bayern and Dortmund as they undergo transitional phases. The pressure is particularly high on Dortmund, as a defeat could halt their recent resurgence of four consecutive victories. Meanwhile, they face Spanish giants Atletico in the Champions League.
Dortmund is also in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season, with Leipzig hot on their heels in the league table. Coach Edin Terzic's side needs to improve, especially after earning only one point in matches against the top five teams in the Bundesliga.
Bayern, on the other hand, must maintain their league position and momentum, looking ahead to their Champions League clash with Arsenal. Both teams have suffered disappointing setbacks in the league and German Cup and will be eager to avoid further disappointment this weekend.
Injuries are a concern for both sides, with players like Manuel Neuer, Harry Kane, and Leroy Sane sidelined for Bayern, and Karim Adeyemi, Sebastien Haller, and Ramy Bensebaini out for Dortmund.
Despite the challenging sporting situation, German football legend Lothar Matthaeus believes that Bayern vs Dortmund remains the most compelling and attractive fixture for viewers, both domestically and internationally.
While Three Lions captain Harry Kane is on track to win the Bundesliga's top scorer crown with 31 goals, players like Niklas Fullkrug and Donyell Malen, with 11 goals each, will aim to keep their clubs competitive at the Munich arena. ■
