Bayerns head coach Julian Nagelsmann talks to media before the Champions League group round of 16 second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayerns head coach Julian Nagelsmann talks to media before the Champions League group round of 16 second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
MUNICH (AP) With Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbapp out of the way, Bayern Munich can now switch focus to getting the edge on German league rival Borussia Dortmund.
The Klassiker between Bayern and Dortmund isnt until April 1, but the two teams are even on points at the top of the Bundesliga and each has a potentially tricky game against a local rival this weekend.
Augsburg may not seem to be much of a challenge for a Bayern team which beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 on aggregate in the Champions League. However, Augsburg has won two of its last four games against Bayern and has a history of taking points off its larger Bavarian neighbor at inconvenient times.
Besides the morale boost of beating PSG, Wednesdays game in Munich brought some encouraging signs for Bayern and coach Julian Nagelsmann ahead of Saturdays game against Augsburg.
Josip Stanišić in particular did well in defense to contain Mbapp in place of the suspended Benjamin Pavard, but may be expected to give up his place against Augsburg. Bayerns depth was on show as Leroy San, Serge Gnabry and recently injured Sadio Man all made valuable contributions off the bench. Nagelsmann has said Man is fully fit, so he could be in line for his first start since a leg injury caused him to miss last years World Cup.
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For Dortmund, its a different story. A 10-game winning run to start 2023 helped the club to draw even on points with Bayern and dream of ending its rivals unprecedented 10-season streak of German titles. That run came to a sudden end in Tuesdays 2-0 loss at Chelsea, a result which eliminated Dortmund from the Champions League.
Dortmund has to bounce back in a heated local rivalry on Saturday at Schalke, which looked to be a sure bet for relegation a few weeks ago but is now on a six-game unbeaten run that gives it hope for survival.
A Ruhr derby is traditionally one of German soccers most anticipated games, but Schalkes struggles in recent seasons have somewhat diminished the allure of the game. Still, Schalkes stadium will be packed and will give Dortmund a hostile welcome.
Dortmund coach Edin Terzic will be without Julian Brandt after the forward went off after five minutes in the loss to Chelsea with a muscle fiber tear. He is also out of next weeks game against Cologne, Dortmund said Thursday.
