All eyes are on Signal Iduna Park as Borussia Dortmund take on Bayern Munich in the highly anticipated Der Klassiker on Matchday 12 of the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich currently sit at the top of the Bundesliga table with 29 points, remaining unbeaten this season, while Borussia Dortmund occupy fifth place with 19 points.
This high-stakes match will feature a tactical battle between two promising young coaches: Nuri Sahin, who is carrying forward the legacy of his predecessors at Dortmund, and Vincent Kompany, whose approach is deeply influenced by his former mentor, Pep Guardiola.
Tactical Approach
Sahin’s tactical approach at Dortmund is centered around ball control and forward movement, with a focus on the contributions of new signings Pascal Gross and Serhou Guirassy. His team boasts the second-highest possession rate in the Bundesliga (60%), showcasing their dominance in maintaining control of the ball.
Sahin typically uses a flexible (4-5-1) formation, which can either feature two holding midfielders with a creative player in the number 10 role, or a single pivot with two dynamic box-to-box midfielders, as outlined on the Bundesliga’s official website.
On the other hand, Kompany’s philosophy is rooted in the possession-based style inspired by his former coach Pep Guardiola. Under Kompany, Bayern’s full-backs are highly involved in the attack, and the goalkeeper plays a key role in building from the back. Notably, Bayern rarely sit back after gaining the lead, with the team securing six league victories by a margin of at least three goals.
Management
Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton praised coach Nuri Sahin for his balanced approach, combining calmness with passion. Sahin, who began his coaching career at just 35, has a strong emphasis on the human side of leadership, setting high expectations for everyone at the club. Despite his strictness, Sahin is a firm believer in motivating his players and staff to give their best with passion.
On the other hand, Vincent Kompany stands out for his excellent communication skills and fluency in three languages, which enables him to leave a strong impression in press conferences. While he maintains a calm demeanor with players, he knows when to be firm, as demonstrated in a viral video from his time at Anderlecht, where he reprimanded his players sternly after a disappointing performance.
Inconsistency and Brilliance
Dortmund’s performances have been marked by inconsistency, with an excellent home record of 6 wins from 6 matches, but they have struggled on the road, earning only one point away from home. Their goal-scoring rate is significantly better at home (3 goals per match) compared to their away form (0.8 goals per match), with a notable disparity in attempts (19 attempts at home versus 8 away).
In contrast, Bayern Munich has solidified its defense and is currently on a 450-minute streak without conceding a goal in the league. The team has been particularly effective at limiting the opposition’s attempts, with only 54 shots faced this season, the fewest in the league. Bayern also boasts impressive physical statistics, covering an average of 119.1 km per match, highlighting the team’s improved fitness and work rate under Kompany’s leadership.
A Record
Vincent Kompany has made an impressive start to his tenure at Bayern Munich, remaining unbeaten in his first 11 matches and accumulating 29 points with a goal difference of +29. This early success has seen him surpass legendary managers like Pep Guardiola and Karl-Heinz Feldkamp in terms of points gained.
As a result, this upcoming clash between Dortmund and Bayern becomes not just a battle for points, but also a fascinating tactical showdown between two promising young coaches, Nuri Sahin and Vincent Kompany. Dortmund will look to leverage the advantage of their passionate home crowd, while Bayern enters the match with a well-rounded, solid defensive and offensive strategy. The encounter will showcase the tactical growth of both coaches as they aim to assert their philosophies on the field.
