A strong defence, late goals and plenty of drive: what makes BVB tick

First against second – on Saturday evening, FC Bayern host Borussia Dortmund for what is undoubtedly the Bundesliga’s top match-up. After seven matchdays, both teams are level on 17 points at the top of the table, with the record champions with their noses in front solely on goal difference. Kick-off at the Allianz Arena is at 18:30 CET.

BVB head to Munich brimming with confidence. Following a 2–2 draw against Werder Bremen and a 1–0 defeat at FK Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League, the Black and Yellows have recently got back on track: in the Bundesliga, they secured a 1–0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, followed by a 2–1 win at Sabah FK in the Champions League. On Tuesday evening, Dortmund also booked their place in the DFB Cup round of 16 with a spectacular 3–2 win over Werder. Ahead of the top-of-the-table clash, we take a closer look at the Borussia men in our opposition profile.

BVB initially enjoyed an almost flawless start to the season. After losing to FC Bayern in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup (2–1), Dortmund won their next six competitive matches. In the Bundesliga, they secured victories against Hamburger SV, TSG Hoffenheim, SC Paderborn and VfB Stuttgart. They also recorded wins against Villarreal in Europe and Oberliga side HEBC Hamburg in the DFB Cup.

Following a slight dip in form against Werder and at Bodø, Niko Kovač’s side bounced back quickly. In their most recent Bundesliga outing against Eintracht Frankfurt, BVB dominated the closing stages in particular, recording seven shots on goal from the 63rd minute onwards; the overall shot count was 16:8. Maximilian Beier scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute.

Things then took a dramatic turn in the cup tie against Werder: after taking a 2–0 lead, SVW equalised with two goals in three minutes, before Marcel Sabitzer converted a direct free-kick in the third minute of stoppage time to make it 3–2. So Dortmund are still well in contention in all three competitions. However, the cup tie was already their sixth competitive match in 19 days, so for BVB, it will be crucial to be physically and mentally sharp from the outset in Munich, despite the heavy workload.

Players in fine form

One of Dortmund’s standout performers in recent weeks has been forward Maximilian Beier who, with his late goal against Eintracht Frankfurt, underlined his progress under Kovač. Beier can play in several positions, frequently looks to get in behind the back line and, with his pace, poses a threat, particularly in counter-attacks.

Serhou Guirassy remains the key figure up front. The Guinea international combines physicality with a clinical finish and is a constant threat around the penalty area. He most recently demonstrated his quality in the Champions League with two goals in Baku. Against Bayern, it will be crucial for the Munich defence to cut him off from receiving passes in dangerous areas. In goal, Gregor Kobel is also one of the league’s best keepers. The Swiss stopper exudes huge confidence and also takes responsibility in building play up from the back. In front of him is a defence that has conceded just four goals in the Bundesliga to date – the best stats in Europe’s top 5 leagues.

Injection of youth in the summer

At the start of the season, Borussia Dortmund gave its squad a facelift, with the club’s management placing greater emphasis on young players with potential for development. Of particular note were Greek attacking midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas, French centre-back Joane Gadou, Ecuadorian Justin Lerma and Brazilian full-back Kauã Prates.

Talented Dutch midfielder Joey Veerman also made the move to Dortmund. Giannis Konstantelias was brought in to inject some extra creativity into the attack, but is currently unavailable to BVB due to an ACL tear.

Among those to leave the club were Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle and Salih Özcan. Yan Couto, Kjell Wätjen, Cole Campbell and Julien Duranville are also no longer part of Dortmund’s Bundesliga squad this season.

The shake-up brought fresh momentum and plenty of talent to the squad. For Kovač, it also meant the challenge of quickly moulding a changed team into a cohesive unit. So far, he’s succeeded: Dortmund look solid, defend with great intensity and have several players who can make the difference in one-on-one situations or following quick combinations.

Kovač calls for a performance of the very highest level

Kovač knows FC Bayern inside out. The Croatian was head coach of the record champions from 2018 to 2019 and won the Bundesliga and the DFB Cup with the Munich side. He’s been at the helm of BVB since February 2025. Following a successful 2025/26 campaign, Dortmund handed the 55-year-old a contract extension ahead of schedule.

Following the cup victory over Werder, Kovač made it clear what would be crucial against the record champions. Dortmund must maintain control for extended periods and must not let themselves be taken out of the game. Against Bremen, his team had relinquished their grip on the game after taking a 2–0 lead. “We were far too open; Bremen broke through the centre four or five times. Tactically, we didn’t handle that well – but all’s well that ends well,” stated the BVB coach in a TV interview.

Kovač often sets BVB up in a 3-3-2-2 formation. Three centre-backs form the first line of defence, with central midfielders operating in front of them, whilst the full-backs push high up the pitch. This creates variable lines of play when in possession and provides several passing options in the centre.

Movement between the lines will be particularly important. Time and again, Jobe Bellingham, Felix Nmecha, Sabitzer and Chukwuemeka are capable of timing their runs from midfield. Guirassy drops deep when the situation calls for it, drawing in the centre-backs and creating space for the players getting forward.

BVB have a lot of pace down the flanks. Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson – or his respective rival – look to push forward, whilst the attacking players move in to occupy the half-spaces. This enables Dortmund to switch play quickly and, after winning possession, head towards the goal with just a few touches.

Another one of their strengths is their transition play. After winning the ball, BVB often look to go deep by the most direct route. Beier and Guirassy are a particular threat in this regard, as balls can be played both to their feet or into open space. At the same time, Dortmund immediately pile on the pressure when they lose possession.

It means FC Bayern will need to find ways to deal with the first pressing line. If the Munich side manage to bypass the Dortmund press with some sharp passing, spaces may open up behind the advancing full-backs. However, if Bayern lose the ball in their own half, BVB will be straight on the front foot thanks to their explosive pace.

A solid defence and a threat in the closing stages

Dortmund’s season to date has been characterised above all by their solid defence. Having conceded just four goals in seven Bundesliga games, they have the best defensive record in the league. The back three, centred around Nico Schlotterbeck, defend with great focus, whilst Gregor Kobel provides added reassurance in goal.

At the same time, BVB have shown a remarkable ability to come from behind late in the game. Six of Dortmund’s 12 Bundesliga goals have come after the 80th minute. Against Eintracht Frankfurt, Beier scored a late winner, whilst in the Cup, Sabitzer struck in stoppage time. The Borussia men remain a threat right up until the final whistle and have several players who can make an impact from the bench.

For FC Bayern, this means that concentration, solid defending and clinical finishing will be essential right up to the very last moment.

Trend favours FC Bayern

In February of this year, FC Bayern won 3–2 in Dortmund. Prior to that, the record champions had won the first of last season’s two encounters 2–1 in Munich. In April 2025, the two teams drew 2–2 in Munich. FC Bayern also won 2–1 in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup in August 2026.

Dortmund have now gone five consecutive meetings without a win against the record champions. However, a new chapter in this classic rivalry begins on Saturday at the Allianz Arena. BVB will arrive with a strong defence, plenty of pace and confidence – FC Bayern will need to be on their guard.

Have a go at our Matchday Quiz:

SAP Matchday Quiz: Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Bayern