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Dortmund out to frustrate Bayern anew

Comment: 0 November 18th, 2011 by: admin

BORUSSIA Dortmund do not fear Bayern Munich and they want a win on Saturday to get within range of their tough rivals.

Bayern, the many-time titleholders, and Dortmund, the reigning champions, clash head-on in a battle of Bundesliga’s top two squads at the Allianz Arena.

The home edge may be on Bayern but Dortmund are riding high on their recent impressive run as they rediscovered their championship calibre, stringing up five wins against a draw in their last six league fixtures.

Coach Jurgen Klopp’s men are now at second spot at 23 points, just five behind leaders Bayern.

Klopp said the main reason for their resurgence was that his players are now hungrier for the ball. ‘When we started studying our system it was more a case of a Swan Lake. Now we always want to grab the ball like piranhas.’

Dortmund, who have scored 19 goals thus far, are also one of the fastest and most effective sides on the break

Defender Mats Hummels believes Bayern is not invincible and said they have to show no fear against them and push their own game through.

Dortmund could miss the services of defender Marcel Schmelzer, who did not see action in Germany’s recent friendlies due to a muscle injury.

On the other side of the fence, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will be out for Bayern, who are aiming to clinch another 3 points to pull away from their closest pursuer.

‘Dortmund are the toughest of all of our rivals,’ said Schweinsteiger, whose shoulder injury caused him to miss the rest of the year. “It will be a tight game but I am sure that we will throw everything we have into this game and win, because then we will have taken a huge step forward.

Bayern will also try to avenge their 1-3 defeat last season at Munich that put the title in the bag for Dortmund.

Schweinsteiger, speaking to reporters after watching a Bayern Munich basketball game last Wednesday, said a lot has changed since then and that they haye more quality and playing more solidly this season.

Bayern are also hoping they will make amends for last season’s 3-1 defeat in Munich that all but sealed Dortmund’s title.

The hosts could be boosted by the return of winger Arjen Robben, who has undergone groin surgery last October, though it is unlikely he will be on the pitch from the start.

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