By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- For a coach in professional sports, a birthday is secondary to the next game. For Borussia Dortmund's Niko Kovac, that meant spending his 54th birthday Wednesday preparing for the German "Klassiker" against Bayern Munich.
Instead of cake and presents, the day involved training in an autumnal setting. Brief congratulations, a club social media post and applause on the training ground were minor concerns with the duel in Munich looming Saturday.
While eagerly awaited by fans, the 2025 German football summit remains a one-sided affair statistically.
Despite Dortmund's recent seven-month unbeaten streak, CEO Lars Ricken described it as a David-versus-Goliath competition, adding, "We can name it that, but with a competitive David."
With the 20th duel between the league's first- and second-place teams ahead, Bayern's dominance this season is striking. Dortmund was the last side to win in Munich, back in March 2024, and the last to earn a point there with a 2-2 draw in spring 2025.
Since then, the 2024 UEFA finalist has lost its status as a "Bayern hunter," dealing with internal troubles and sporting setbacks.
Kovac, who took over the struggling team in February 2025 and holds a contract until 2027, has gradually revitalized the eight-time German champion, which last won the title in 2012.
While both sides remain unbeaten in the 2025-26 season, Bayern has won its last seven home matches.
"Things must work out perfectly for us to win something this time," Ricken said, noting that optimism has grown. The Dortmund official cited higher fitness levels and squad continuity as key factors.
Still, Bayern's 18 points and +22 goal difference after six matches outpace Dortmund's 14 points and +8.
TV pundit and former Norwegian international Jan Age Fjortoft said Saturday's game has been reduced to a "Klassiker of hope," representing the last chance to slow Bayern's dominance this season.
Dortmund is keeping expectations low. Ricken noted that while the club has reached a stage where "we are somehow back as a serious challenger," it must prove that this weekend.
The 49-year-old 1997 Champions League winner added that the current standings benefit the German league's international reputation, with both teams serving as the country's top contenders in the Champions League and supplying players to the national team. ■
