Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: Head-to-Head Rivalry

Every top league is renowned for its top rivalries in football, and just like any top league, the Bundesliga has the German Clasico. 

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund games have always been thrilling to watch, as both the teams have displayed mouthwatering performances on every occasion when they have gone head to head.   

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are one of the oldest rivals in Bundesliga having dominated the League for more than 50 years. 

Having amassed a total of 39 Bundesliga titles between them, with Bayern claiming a whopping 31 league titles while Dortmund have won 8 titles.

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: Historic Rivalry

The head-to-head rivalry grew between both the clubs in the 1990s, as Borussia Dortmund evolved into a dominant club, challenging Bayern Munich for the title. 

On many occasions, Dortmund and Bayern have come close to winning the Bundesliga title. In an instance that happened in the early 2010s, both clubs were close to winning the title, although it was Dortmund, who clinched the title.   

A German Clasico in the 2013 Champions League Final, with Bayern coasting to a 2-1 victory. 

In 1971 Dortmund suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in their history at the hands of Bayern. Bayern Munich defeated Dortmund 11-1.

Some Heated moments between Bayern and Dortmund

Since their rivalry intensified, both the teams have exchanged heated moments. In 1996 the teams competed in the controversial UCL quarter-finals, and Dortmund won both legs thanks to a solitary goal from Stephane Chapuisat. 

Subsequently, Bayern signed Dortmund’s manager Otmaar Hitzfeld, which led to some acrimonious moments which flare up during their second meeting in the 1998-99 Bundesliga. 

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn attempted a kung-fu kick on at Chapuisat and later bit Heiko Herrlich's ear.

In 2001 a league game between both teams ended in 10 yellow cards and three red cards were shown in the game

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: Head-to-Head Record

Overall Head-to-Head Record: 

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: Last 5 head-to-head games 

Bayer Munich has always had the upper hand in this rivalry, with the most victories and trophies. However, Borussia Dortmund has given Bayern Munich a run for their money in many head-to-head games and the matches have regularly been high-voltage. 

Players who played for both Bayern and Dortmund:

We look at some important players who have also switched their allegiances between the two German giants:

• Robert Lewandowski was Bayern's top target after his world-class performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League where he netted four goals. This led to Lewandowski demanding higher wages only to be declined by the Dortmund board, which led to the Polish international joining Bayern Munich on a free transfer in 2014.
   
• Thomas Helmer was renowned for his defensive ability, he played for Dortmund for six seasons, scoring 16 goals during his spell at the club. Helmer had a controversial transfer, as Dortmund didn’t want to sell him directly to Bayern, so they sent him to Lyon there he stayed only three months, and Lyon sold him to Bayern Munich for 7.5 million.
   
• Mats Hummels was a Bayern’s academic player but was loaned to Dortmund in January 2008. There he grew his stature and formed a successful center-back partnership with Neven Subotic this saw him signing a permanent deal with Dortmund. However, in 2016 he moved back to Bayern due to family issues.
   
• Mario Gotze left Dortmund for Bayern in 2013 only to return back in 2016. Gotze, the match-winner for Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, hardly got a consistent run at Bayern to display his skills. 

Interesting facts about Bayern Munich vs Dortmund

✦ The match between both the clubs is regarded as the Der Klassiker.

✦ The heavyweight duo first went toe-to-toe in the Bundesliga on 16 October 1965 in Munich. The game went Dortmund's way thanks to two goals from Reinhold Wosab.

✦ Bayern have won the Bundesliga 31 times, compared to Dortmund's 8 league titles.

✦ Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund contested in the first-ever all-German final in the UEFA Champions League in 2013 Final at Wembley stadium.