Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund meet in the Bundesliga’s biggest showdown this evening.
German football will pause for Der Klassiker, with both sides unbeaten in the opening weeks of the campaign. Bayern boast a perfect record after six games and can extend their advantage at the top with a win, though Dortmund will cut the gap to one point with a victory of their own.
Ahead of the clash, we’ve picked our Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund Combined XI.
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund Combined XI
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich
The Bayern captain dons the gloves here and continues to be a huge presence for the champions even as his 40th birthday approaches. Neuer, undoubtedly, is in the conversation of the all-time goalkeeping greats.
Right-back: Yan Couto – Borussia Dortmund
After a modest first season in Dortmund, Yan Couto has nailed down the right-back role and is thriving. He’s already scored twice in seven games and has been a brilliant outlet, ranking among the Bundesliga’s top players for dribblers tackled (7th), progressive carries (7th), and progressive passes received (7th).
Centre-back: Dayot Upamecano – Bayern Munich
Bayern are determined to tie Dayot Upamecano down to a new deal, with his contract due to expire in the summer.
The Frenchman will not be short of suitors should he decide against new terms, with Real Madrid and Barcelona keen on the defender, who has been a crucial cog for Bayern and the national team.
Centre-back: Nico Schlotterbeck – Borussia Dortmund
Nico Schlotterbeck’s return from a long absence is a huge boost for Dortmund. The 25-year-old has built a reputation as one of the Bundesliga’s best progressive defenders, ranking in the top 10% of centre-backs across Europe’s top leagues for passes, progressive passes, progressive carries and successful take-ons per game.
107 – Nico Schlotterbeck had the most touches (107) and passes (87) on the pitch in the game in Northern Ireland, as well as the joint-most duels won for Germany. Indispensable. #NIRGER pic.twitter.com/1HSImsnmmk
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) October 14, 2025
Left-back: Konrad Laimer – Bayern Munich
Konrad Laimer has become Bayern’s man for all occasions. This season alone he’s featured in both full-back positions and in midfield, scoring once and providing two assists in six league appearances. That kind of versatility is priceless to a manager.
No fullback has more key passes than Konrad Laimer in the Top 7 Leagues this season 🇦🇹🔑
◉ Expected assists: 91st percentile
◉ Progressive carries: 86th percentile
◉ Possessions won: 75th percentile
◉ Defensive duels %: 75th percentile👉 https://t.co/VwijM6g7AX pic.twitter.com/N5M5zIEQG2
— DataMB (@DataMB_) October 8, 2025
Midfield: Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
Still, the man who makes Bayern and Germany tick. Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac, who worked with Kimmich at Bayern, believes the 30-year-old is Germany’s best player – wherever he plays.
“He’s class wherever he plays,” Kovac said ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
“He’s a player that every coach wants to have in their team. In my opinion, he’s the best midfielder and certainly the best right-back in Germany.”
Midfield: Leon Goretzka – Bayern Munich
It seems like Leon Goretzka is perennially linked with a move away from Bayern, but the midfielder has dug in to be a key figure under several managers.
He’s cemented a role in Vincent Kompany’s side this season, after finding himself out of favour in 2024/25. Goretzka recently passed 300 appearances in the Bundesliga and is in pursuit of a seventh title before an expected exit when his contract expires in the summer.
Right-wing: Michael Olise – Bayern Munich
The evolution of Michael Olise has been a fantastic watch. From a second-tier starlet in England to one of Europe’s very best wingers, Olise has taken it all in his stride.
The Frenchman has been directly involved in a goal every 78 minutes for Bayern in the league and Champions League this season. That’s elite output.
🔴💎🔴#UCL pic.twitter.com/ivM2ZEtN2g
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 10, 2025
Left-wing: Luis Diaz – Bayern Munich
Some questioned the £65.5m fee Bayern paid to sign Diaz from Liverpool in the summer, with the Colombian due to turn 29 this season.
Few are doing so now, after an electric start in Germany. Diaz has five goals and four assists in just six league appearances, with only teammate Harry Kane having outscored him in the Bundesliga.
Bayern have a storied history of top-tier wingers, and Diaz is writing his own chapter.
Forward: Serhou Guirassy – Borussia Dortmund
There’s something intriguing about a footballing late bloomer. Sergou Guirassy fits the bill. Prior to joining Stuttgart in 2022, Guirassy had never scored more than 10 league goals in a campaign.
Since then, he’s hit 88 in 116 games for Stuttgart and Dortmund, and was the Champions League’s top scorer last season (13). Kovac was right when he said Dortmund are ‘very much dependent’ on the Guinean goalscorer.
Forward: Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
Harry Kane might just be the best centre-forward in the game right now. Sure, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will disagree, but Kane’s record is hard to argue against.
He’s scored 103 goals in 106 games for Bayern, has been the Bundesliga’s top scorer in successive seasons, and is averaging a goal or assist every 39 minutes in 2025/26.
Just a reminder that it’s only October 😳
Is Harry Kane the best striker in the world? 🌍 pic.twitter.com/TwOs7iyhsC
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 14, 2025
Read – Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund – Predicted lineup and team news
See more – Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund – Match preview
