Der Klassiker: Why Bayern Munich's league tie versus Borussia Dortmund may be season-defining for both?

Borussia Dortmund are still far from guaranteed a top-four spot

Despite improving drastically in 2024, Borussia Dortmund are only one point above RB Leipzig in fifth. 

With the new changes to Champions League qualification for next season, it remains to be seen whether fifth place will grant a Bundesliga team a chance to enter Europe's top competition.

Dortmund, however, will not want to risk this as they no doubt won't want anything less than Champions League football for the 2024-25 campaign.

Both Teams Could Still Face Each Other In The Champions League

As unlikely it seems both make it to the final of the Champions League, but both Bayern and Borussia Dortmund have winnable quarter-final ties against Arsenal and Atlético Madrid respectively.

The path is clear for both, Dortmund will have to play one of PSG or Barcelona in the semi-finals should they get past Atlético in the quarters and Bayern Munich are on a tough side of the draw as either reigning champions Manchester City await them or record holders Real Madrid will meet them in the semis.

If both teams advance to the final stage, a repeat of the 2013 final at Wembley would take place with both teams having their eyes on the London final.

Borussia Dortmund's next five fixtures will make or break their season

Borussia Dortmund have some of the toughest next five fixtures out of any side in the Bundesliga. Starting off their run of fixtures after the international break, they of course play in the Der Klassiker at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich.

Following this, they have tough ties against VfB Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig in the weeks following the Der Klassiker in a time where they may still be juggling European football with their Bundesliga games.

If they were to lose to Bayern Munich, you'd think it were to be unlikely that they would be able to get results against Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig in the month afterwards.

This is especially true seeing as BVB play Atlético Madrid directly inbetween ties against Stuttgart, Borussia Mönchengladbach and also Bayer Leverkusen in back to back weeks.

Bayern Munich will want to remain at the very least runners-up this Bundesliga campaign

Even though it may seem as if the title race is over, Bayern Munich will no doubt still not want to drop even more points. VfB Stuttgart, enjoying an immense season under coach Sebastian Hoeneß, are in third place and only four points behind the Bavarians.

Losing second place this deep into the season will put a cloud over an already subpar season in the view of many Bayern Munich fans.

The ten point gap is one most likely too large for any team (yet alone Bayern) to overcome, however losing the second place spot to Stuttgart will sting even more for Thomas Tuchel's side when looking back at this season

Borussia Dortmund are the form team of 2024 and are only behind Bayer Leverkusen in the table for the calendar year and under-fire Edin Terzić seems to have quietened a lot of the talk about his dismissal.