Niko Kovac raised his eyebrows in surprise on Friday afternoon. On Wednesday evening, after the lackluster 2-0 victory against AEK Athens, Uli Hoeneß had once again confirmed that he was fully behind the coach. He in turn pretended that he had missed it. That shows only "what I always said: that I have the absolute trust of the association," said Kovac.

Hoeneß and Kovac were also unanimous: On Saturday, against Borussia Dortmund (18.30 clock, TV: Sky, live ticker SPIEGEL ONLINE), were the Munich outsiders, and completely voluntary.

Outsiders against BVB? Is it really like that?

The balance of power was perhaps six and a half years ago as it is today. At that time Bayern traveled as a pursuer to the front runner and then lost because of 0: 1, because Arjen Robben missed a penalty in the 86th minute. It was the preliminary decision of the German Championship in the season 2011/2012. Some players left the stadium ungroomed at that time, so fast they wanted to leave the defeat behind.

They want to get something in Dortmund, that's it

And this time? At Bayern, a lot has changed under Kovac: All sorts of arrangements are being made to not be more disappointed after a possible bankruptcy than absolutely necessary. It is only six months ago that Bayern beat the Dortmund 6: 0. Incidentally, with a starting eleven that could almost be on the pitch tomorrow - the ailing seal alone will fail due to knee problems.

But after moderate appearances against SV Rödinghausen and SC Freiburg Kovac has also occurred on Friday rather defensive. The question that hovers over everything is this: how can a team that is hard on even weaker teams win against such a well-placed Borussia? The most offensive, what Kovac has to say: One definitely wants to "get something" in Dortmund. "Seven points would be a lot, one point would be little." He meant the gap to Borussia, currently there are four points.

President Hoeness found a unique opportunity to divert the focus of the public from this landmark game - and thus to take the pressure of the coach and team. He started talking about his future. "What concerns me at the moment is the question of a successor," he told the "Saxon newspaper". Together with CEO Karl -Heinz Rummenigge is also looking for a candidate. Two or three years later, he wanted to do the job, Hoeness said.

Modest Bayern - what's that?

If the "egg-laying Wollmilchsau", as he called it, could possibly end next year. Even if Hoeness after a victory in Dortmund and a possible autumn championship in an euphoria attack should reject these plans again - the question of whether he will stand for reelection in 2019, will accompany him.

One could also understand the new modesty of the Bayern bosses as an indirect confession of guilt: They face now even before their coach, because they were 100% convinced of him in his commitment. If Kovac turns out to be unsuitable for the job, it will fall back on her. Even more so than sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, who still seems to have little power.

Even the not so young squad was hardly changed. The Bayern bosses had always refused to reach deep into their pockets, in the unquestionably enough money. And now Hoeneß says: "If Bayern is not champion, then Bayern is not lost."

The time of boredom is over

Of course it can also be different and Bayern win on Saturday. The experience of the older players could make the difference, Kovac believes: "In such games they are there." On the one hand, one noticed this age quite clearly. Jérôme Boateng often runs as if in pain, national coach Joachim Loew nominated him not for the upcoming internationals. Franck Ribéry prevails less often than before in the one-on-one. But it is also like this: Boateng can still play long balls, with which he can even reveal good defenses. Ribéry is always good for an extraordinary idea. The game in Dortmund will show if the Bayern currently really only deep stack.

The players seem to be packed with honor. "We do not have to hide, this is a duel on equal terms", insisted goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. And Joshua Kimmich is looking forward to finally returning to an opponent "who also wants to score goals" - that's how more space could be created than last.

Whether the Bayern only had to be properly challenged, or whether they really are only outsiders, will show on Saturday night. But they have already done a service to the Bundesliga: the time of boredom is over. It's exciting again.