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Do you still remember how Jürgen Klopp paralyzed Bayern superstars Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry in 2011 as BVB coach with the tactical trick of "rocking"? Or how Bastian Schweinsteiger in the Champions League final 2013, the tactical order of his own Bavaria thrown overboard and leveraged from the depth of the Dortmund press?

Granted, when fans talk about past duels between Dortmund and Bayern, then hardly about such tactical aspects. Football analysts still speak today with recognition of those games.

Only: These times are long gone. The clash of the two Bundesliga top teams mutated in recent years from a tactical point of view to average. Innovations? Especially clever match plans? Recently it was more likely to be seen in Hoffenheim, Bremen or Schalke.

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Dortmund against Bayern: card record and Kung-Fu-Kahn

It tingles again

If on Saturday Dortmund receives the Bayern (18.30 clock, TV: Sky, live ticker SPIEGEL ONLINE), it tingles again. This is mainly due to BVB coach Lucien Favre. Not only that the Borussia leads the table under the Swiss. The coach is also considered a proven tactician. And he has proven in the past that the Bavarians are his.

Four wins, three draws, seven defeats is his record. His team were always gone as clear outsiders in games against the Munich. Despite this, only Julian Nagelsmann scored a higher points average against the record champions by the reigning Bundesliga coaches (1.40 points per game, Favre: 1.07).

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Lucien Favre (r.)

With Hertha BSC (2007-2009) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (2011-2015) annoyed Favre Bayern with sophisticated defensive plans. The coach is known for perfecting movement in space with his teams. The gaps between the four-chain keep low, the midfield condense, after countervailing ball with four players counter: So Favres teams usually started against Bayern.

Van Gaal's influence

Before the game on Saturday, the question arises whether Favre his Dortmund also this time rather defensive. At the start of the season, he defended the team in a 4-1-4-1. Only three players were waiting for counterattack. Most recently, BVB celebrated with a more offensive lineup successes. Dortmund acted in a 4-2-3-1 system with four designated offensive forces. Marco Reus enjoys many freedoms as a ten. Will Dortmund stay true to the hurray football of the past few weeks? Or does Favre sacrifice an offensive power and bet on a strengthened defensive in 4-1-4-1?

The answer may decide on the tactical situation of the match. While Favre has already proven his tactical flexibility, Bavaria coach Niko Kovac acted more stubbornly. No matter what the opponent is called or what players were available: Kovac remained loyal to the 4-3-3 formation that Bayern played in the days of Louis van Gaal (2009-2011). The team is still attached to the philosophy that the Dutchman once brought to Munich: a lot of possession and constant attacks on the wings is the credo.

For Bayern, the question is not how they play, but who plays. The formation in midfield should be a hint. Does he choose the defensive variant with Javi Martínez as clearer from the defense? This variant strengthens the protection. However, Martínez lacks the ability to shape the game from the depths. This finally led to poor ideas, as seen in Bayern's unadorned 2-0 over AEK Athens in the Champions League.

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Niko Kovac

Or does Kovac risk a risky lineup? In this case, Joshua Kimmich would move into central midfield. Even more aggressive would be this variant, when next to Kimmich with James Rodríguez and Thomas Müller two offensive players in midfield. Although this promises more playful options to crack Dortmund's compact midfield, but is probably more susceptible to Dortmund counterattack on the halfpaces. Especially Reus could run as a hanging forward with speed on the defense.

Gift for Dortmund counter

For Kovac there is another option: the radical departure from the Bavarian philosophy. In Frankfurt, the Croat celebrated its greatest successes when his team appeared rather defensive. There he favored a 3-5-2 system. In the center compact stand and counter: This would Kovac the Dortmund really get on the wrong foot. In addition, a triple chain with Niklas Süle, Jérôme Boateng and Mats Hummels would be poison for Dortmund counter.

Such a tactic would put the BVB tasks. How does the team react when it has to shape the game against Munich? Would Favre be prepared for such an approach? The outcome would be uncertain.

But is that likely? Rather not. Instead, the classic variant is to be expected: Dortmund is waiting in the deep 4-1-4-1 and lurking for counterattack, while the Bayern run in a defensive 4-3-3 variant of the ball and minimize the risk. That would not be a football festival. But the logical continuation of a duel that has lost its attractiveness and level.