After beating TSG Hoffenheim in the DFB-Pokal, Borussia Dortmund are now set to host Bayern Munich in their second of three consecutive games at home. Saturday’s kick-off in SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is scheduled for 18:30 CET. 

The personnel situation in the Black & Yellow squad is good ahead of the headline fixture of the tenth matchday of the Bundesliga season. Marius Wolf, who was forced off against Hoffenheim due to injury, is expected to be able to take part in the final training session on Friday. Captain Emre Can has been absent for the last two games, but was on the pitch on Thursday and has been working hard individually and on his fitness. “The aim is for him to train with the team on Friday. He’s been out for ten days now, so it would be good if he could take part in the session without any problems,” said Terzic regarding the only potential absentee in the Dortmund squad.

While BVB progressed to the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal against Hoffenheim, their opponents on Saturday were dumped out by third-tier side 1. FC Saarbrücken. “We’ll see what impact it has on the game tomorrow. But I’ve rarely seen Bayern put in two consecutive bad performances,” said Terzic. “Their senses are always a bit sharper against us than against other opponents. And now they probably have a little bit more fire in their bellies.” In any case, Terzic doesn’t want to get too fixated on the opposition’s early exit from the cup: “It wasn’t long ago that they scored eight goals in one half,” he says, alluding to their 8-0 win at home to Darmstadt last weekend. He also stressed the 34 goals they’ve scored in the first nine matchdays. “We know the quality of the opposition and we know it will be a very tough task, but it’s one we’re really looking forward to and we come into it with a lot of desire.”

”We’ve drawn closer”

BVB have not beaten the record champions in their last nine Bundesliga meetings. The record in this timeframe is eight defeats and a draw in the most recent home game. However, Terzic is keen to emphasise: “In the past, and especially last year, we’ve drawn closer to upsetting them.” In both games last season, his team showed courage, he said. “But we have to learn that these games can be decided by small details. We have to be effective in our game. We can’t afford to miss too many chances if we want to win the game.”

In the most recent home game against Munich in October 2022, the fans were treated to an unforgettable evening – even if the top-of-the-table clash ended with the spoils shared, as the two teams played out a breathtaking 2-2 draw. After trailing 2-0, Youssoufa Moukoko and – in the final action of the match – Anthony Modeste salvaged a deserved point and sent the stadium into raptures.

Energy from the stands

Terzic expects SIGNAL IDUNA PARK to be loud again this season: “It’s a very special game, not least for our fans. It will be sold out, it will be extremely loud. The expectation will be for us to give everything and win the game.” The team wants to harness the energy from the stands on the pitch. “We know that we want to do them justice and give something back with the way we play football,” said Terzic. Hopefully that ends in three points against Bayern Munich and the second of three successive wins at home.
Christina Reinke

BVB-TV by 1&1: the press conference before the game against Bayern Munich