Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: Combined XI
Der Klassiker returns this Sunday as Borussia Dortmund travel to the Allianz area to take on Bayern Munich. Undoubtedly the most awaited fixture of any Bundesliga calendar, the two German giants go head to head again, and the match will be crucial in the title run in.Recent years have seen the two teams battle it out for Bundesliga supremacy, but while Dortmund succumbed to their worst season in recent times in a year that ended with them finishing 7th, and their inspirational coach Jurgen Klopp leaving after 7 years in charge, Bayern continued their dominance at the top of German football.Times have changed since a few months ago though, and a resurgent Dortmund side, under Thomas Tuchel, have plundered 21 goals in their 7 league games this season, while Pep Guardiola has moulded an already impressive Bayern side into one that is arguably the most complete team in Europe, winning all of their 7 league games, scoring 23 times and conceding just thrice.Both teams remain unbeaten this season, and the last six times these sides have met, has never ended in a draw, with both teams winning thrice each. Die Roten have won the last two league meetings between these two sides, but who will emerge victors this time around?With Die Schwarzgelben set to battle it out for 3 points at the Allianz Area, we take a look at the best combined XI with players from both teams.It must be noted that this composite XI is based on current form and players currently sidelined through injury or suspension were unavailable for selection.
#1 Goalkeeper
There really is only one choice here. Manuel Neuer is probably the best goalkeeper in the world right now. Burki has been a revelation for Dortmund, with Tuchel opting to play him ahead of the experienced Weidenfeller, but Neuer clearly wins this.
Having kept 20 clean sheets in the league last season, Neuer has conceded just thrice in the league in 7 games this season, in addition to having kept clean sheets in all of Bayern’s Champions League matches.
Guardiola’s style of play necessitates that Bayern’s defenders be able to charge forward at a moment’s notice to provide an effective contribution to attack – as often evidenced by Boateng. As a result, with that gap that the CB leaves when charging forward, the defensive midfielders and even the goalkeeper, also effectively function as part of Bayern’s defensive unit, as they need to be able to drop back to occasionally function even as a central defender themselves if need be.
This is precisely where Neuer’s unique sweeper-keeper style of play is crucial to Bayern’s system.
Guardiola is a master tactician, and his methods make the best use of his resources, and Neuer’s playing style and success at it is no accident. To a team that is highly susceptible to counter-attacks, Neuer's sweeping abilities becomes a necessity.
Yes, it’s a major risk, and Neuer has proven he has the guts to take it, and to his credit he is yet to be caught out properly in a Bayern shirt.