Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany says winning Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund deserves a title in itself.
The top two in the Bundesliga go head-to-head on Saturday with Bayern looking to stretch the gap over their nearest rivals to 11 points.
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«It’s a Klassiker. That has its significance, and with it being a top-of-the-table clash at the moment, we can make it as big as it is,» Kompany said at his pre-match news conference.
«It’s important for the Bundesliga that it’s a big event — the teams shouldn’t have fear, but we need teams who say ‘I want to beat Dortmund.’ And Dortmund should think similarly.
«That’s what makes it so important, that’s how it should be. I’ve said from the beginning that the Klassiker is a title in itself. The truth is, these games are so important that they deserve their own little title.
«The result won’t change our mentality, we want to keep marching on. We’re on a good track and want to fight to keep it that way.»
Dortmund are reeling from their last-gasp Champions League exit at the hands of Atalanta in midweek after throwing away a 2-0 lead from the first leg.
«It’s obviously a blow and that was the sort of game where Dortmund could have progressed, so that obviously always has a mental effect, but what happens from that can go in both directions,» Kompany said.
«What we have under control is how we approach this game and we’ve had a good week. We sensed it was a Klassiker week. There were even moments sometimes where we had this healthy poison in training that I love.
«We’ve done everything right going into the game and want to continue that in the game.»
Dortmund are the only team not to lose at home in the Bundesliga this season. Bayern are yet to be beaten away.
Goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer is doubtful after not having played since sustaining a calf muscle tear two weeks ago. Backup Jonas Urbig played in last week’s 3-2 win over Frankfurt.
«For me [Neuer’s recovery] is all actually going well but perhaps it’s not for tomorrow,» Kompany said. «Even so I’d like to talk this over once more with Manu.»
With Neuer’s future still unclear ahead of his contract expiring at the end of the season, it could be the 39-year-old goalkeeping great’s last Klassiker for Bayern.
Hiroki Ito is out «for the time being» with a hamstring tear. It’s the latest injury setback for the defender, who was out from March until November with a recurrence of an earlier fracture in his foot.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said his players were keen to move on from their defensive troubles against Atalanta and to focus on a «100% good game tomorrow from start to finish.»
«I have to say we’re looking forward to it, everyone, the whole team, the whole staff,» Kovac said. «We obviously want to show a totally different side to ourselves than we showed in Bergamo [against Atalanta].»
Kovac said Dortmund remains without defender Niklas Süle, who also missed the Atalanta game with a thigh injury.
PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
