Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich – Give me ,,The Klassiker"!

“Give me the cherry” – This legendary phrase from BVB idol Lothar Emmerich († 2003) from 1966 was slightly altered on November 30, 2024, for the “German classic,” BVB against FC Bayern in the Bundesliga. 1:1, Borussia strong in the first half, Bayern with a great finish. Give me the classic!

So, where do we start? BVB against Bayern! Let’s start with Hans-Joachim (“Aki”) Watzke. The BVB CEO made a clear statement about the “classic” before the game. “This is the game of the two clubs that have by far the most impact. Anyone who doesn’t see that should go to the eye doctor,” said Watzke on Sky.

And what can you say? He’s right! I’ve had the privilege of editorially covering the “classic” almost every year since it has been called that by the German football media. I’ve experienced it live in the stadiums in Dortmund, Munich, and Berlin at the Cup Final multiple times.

Football trips Borussia Dortmund are also defined by this game. Tickets BVB against Bayern are probably some of the most sought-after in German football.

BVB against Bayern – Forget the true form!

Why is that? Because BVB has the most fans across Germany of all the “followers” of Bayern, and in this game, anything is possible, no matter what the current form of both top teams is.

And because, especially in Dortmund, the magic of the “yellow wall” with 25,000 fans in the South Stand and the energy of the 80,000 spectators in the stadium releases a few more percent from the players.

Just like this time! On paper, it wasn’t really a top match – and Bayern still lead BVB by 10 points in the table. Nevertheless, Borussia Dortmund put in a top performance against the industry giant.

There is basically only one fixture that tops the excitement around the stadiums, and that’s the Revier derby between BVB and Schalke 04, unfortunately no longer played since 2023.

Moments of a classic

Let’s roll out the wallpaper! Tomas Rosicky’s free-kick off the post in 2001, Mats Hummels’ disallowed goal in the Cup Final 2014, the 2-0 winning goal by someone who usually didn’t score, namely Christian Wörns (2004), Robert Lewandowski with the championship-winning goal in 2012. A 2-2 comeback from 0-2 in October 2022, 0-4 in November 2023 with three goals from Harry Kane and the realization that “BVB had participated in this game,” 2-0 and Terz with Terzic on March 30, 2024, at the Allianz Arena – there are so many moments this duel has produced. Just pick your favorite moment!

When people talk about the “classic” of November 30, 2024, they will mostly talk about Jamie Gittens’ rocket sprint in the 27th minute. The Englishman outran Konrad Laimer on the left wing of Dortmund and then slotted the ball past Manuel Neuer with his left foot into the Bayern goal – 1-0.

A game that needs no promotion!

A relief shot that Borussia needed in this prestige duel. When you then see how complete strangers are joyfully embracing each other in the Westfalenstadion, no promotion is needed anymore – not on Sky, not from Watzke, not from anyone. Just watch and enjoy! “Gittens’ goal was outstanding,” said BVB managing director Lars Ricken afterward in the mixed zone.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to bring Borussia their first Bundesliga home win against Bayern since November 10, 2018.

Jamal Musiala, the most valuable player in the Bundesliga, headed Bayern’s equalizer to make it 1-1 in the 85th minute. A deserved result in a game that had everything.

The only global players in German football had once again pulled out all the stops. That’s why the same goes for the return match on April 12, 2025, in Munich: “Give me the classic!”