Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany says profitable Der Klassiker towards Borussia Dortmund deserves a title in itself.
The prime two within the Bundesliga go head-to-head on Saturday with Bayern seeking to stretch the hole over their nearest rivals to 11 factors.
– Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich: How to watch Bundesliga on ESPN
– Bayern could effectively end Dortmund’s season with Klassiker win
– Champions League round of 16 predictions: Real Madrid over Man City
“It’s a Klassiker. That has its significance, and with it being a top-of-the-table clash at the moment, we can make it as big as it is,” Kompany mentioned at his pre-match information convention.
“It’s important for the Bundesliga that it’s a big event — the teams shouldn’t have fear, but we need teams who say ‘I want to beat Dortmund.’ And Dortmund should think similarly.
“That’s what makes it so essential, that is the way it needs to be. I’ve mentioned from the start that the Klassiker is a title in itself. The reality is, these video games are so essential that they deserve their very own little title.
“The result won’t change our mentality, we want to keep marching on. We’re on a good track and want to fight to keep it that way.”
Dortmund are reeling from their last-gasp Champions League exit by the hands of Atalanta in midweek after throwing away a 2-0 lead from the primary leg.
“It’s obviously a blow and that was the sort of game where Dortmund could have progressed, so that obviously always has a mental effect, but what happens from that can go in both directions,” Kompany mentioned.
“What we have under control is how we approach this game and we’ve had a good week. We sensed it was a Klassiker week. There were even moments sometimes where we had this healthy poison in training that I love.
“We’ve completed all the things proper going into the sport and need to proceed that within the sport.”
Dortmund are the only team not to lose at home in the Bundesliga this season. Bayern are yet to be beaten away.
Goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer is uncertain after not having performed since sustaining a calf muscle tear two weeks in the past. Backup Jonas Urbig performed in final week’s 3-2 win over Frankfurt.
“For me [Neuer’s recovery] is all truly going properly however maybe it is not for tomorrow,” Kompany said. “Even so I’d like to speak this over as soon as extra with Manu.”
With Neuer’s future still unclear ahead of his contract expiring at the end of the season, it could be the 39-year-old goalkeeping great’s last Klassiker for Bayern.
Hiroki Ito is out “in the interim” with a hamstring tear. It’s the latest injury setback for the defender, who was out from March until November with a recurrence of an earlier fracture in his foot.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said his players were keen to move on from their defensive troubles against Atalanta and to focus on a “100% good sport tomorrow from begin to end.”
“I’ve to say we’re trying ahead to it, everybody, the entire crew, the entire employees,” Kovac said. “We clearly need to present a completely completely different aspect to ourselves than we confirmed in Bergamo [against Atalanta].”
Kovac mentioned Dortmund stays with out defender Niklas Süle, who additionally missed the Atalanta sport with a thigh damage.
PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
