Weakened Bayern Munich to Face Borussia Dortmund in German Classic

The football world in Germany is focused on two key events concerning the country's biggest clubs: the upcoming league classic and the Champions League knockout draw. Bayern Munich will travel to Dortmund significantly weakened, positioning Borussia as a team with a real chance to break their rival's streak. The latest reports indicate that Manuel Neuer will not play in this prestigious match, forcing coach Vincent Kompany to reshuffle his goalkeeper hierarchy. The squad situation is worsened by the fact that Hiroki Ito, who was returning from injury, has suffered another setback, ruling him out of tactical plans for the near future. Media emphasize that for Borussia Dortmund, the upcoming match is a fight to salvage their league season, while Bayern battles to consolidate its dominance and secure the 'autumn champion' title. The rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, known as Der Klassiker, has been the highlight of the Bundesliga calendar since the 1990s, often deciding the championship race.Meanwhile, in Swiss Nyon, the draw for the Champions League round of 16 took place. The draw proved favorable for German fans, as an internal clash between Bayern and Borussia was avoided already at this stage. The Bavarians will face the Italian Atalanta Bergamo. This is a formidable opponent, especially as it was this team that previously eliminated the side from Dortmund from the competition. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen, the current German champions, will host London's Arsenal, promising to be one of the highlights of this round. Experts, including Lothar Matthäus, advise Borussia to be brave and play with aggressive intent to exploit the uncertainty in Bayern's ranks caused by key absences. „BVB muss Akzente setzen und mutig sein.” (BVB must set the tone and be brave.) — Lothar Matthäus The atmosphere around the match is being heated by comments from representatives of both clubs. Bayern's sporting director, Max Eberl, appeals for unity and calm, aiming to quell recent speculation about the future of some players and their agents. In Dortmund, there is a mood of full mobilization, despite the recent loss in Bergamo. BVB players describe Bayern as "the non plus ultra in Europe," which shows immense respect for the rival but also a desire to prove their own worth. This match will be crucial not only for the table but also for the morale of both teams ahead of decisive clashes in European cups.