Bayern Munich's loss to Mainz on Wednesday makes this rendition of the Klassiker the match of the season. If Bayern Munich lose they allow Boussia Dortmund right back into the title race. If they win, they can effectively put the race to bed entirely. Pep Guardiola knows this and that's why he's going big or going home with his lineup.
#FCBayern line-up for #DerKlassiker:
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) March 5, 2016
Neuer - Lewandowski, Robben, Costa, Alonso, Bernat, Lahm (C), Vidal, Müller, Alaba, Kimmich | #BVBFCB
Approximate Tactical Configuration
Robert Lewandowski
Douglas Costa - Thomas Müller - Arjen Robben
Arturo Vidal - Xabi Alonso
Juan Bernat - David Alaba - Joshua Kimmich - Philipp Lahm
Manuel Neuer
While the switch back to Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba is somewhat of a surprise given the recent return of Medhi Benatia, the rest of this Bayern Munich lineup is a first choice starting 11. Juan Bernat's poor mid-week performance doesn't seem to have been an issue going into this match for Pep Guardiola.
Watch for Thomas Müller to push up alongside Robert Lewandowski as he always does and look for Arturo Vidal to step into that space. His tenacity in midfield coupled with the deep lying Xabi Alonso should give the Chilean more than enough room and space to be the wrecking ball Bayern Munich need in this match.
Dortmund's Starting 11
BVB: Bürki, Bender, Gündogan, Mkhitaryan, Reus, Hummels, Aubameyang, Piszczek, Schmelzer, Weigl, Durm #bvbfcb pic.twitter.com/J14sVn8B6s
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) March 5, 2016
Approximate Tactical Configuration
Marco Reus - Pierre Emerick Aubameyang - Henrik Mkhitaryan
Erik Durm - Ilkay Gundogan - Julian Weigl
Marcel Schmelzer - Mats Hummels - Sven Bender Lukas Pizczek