Bayern in search of consistency against high-flying Dortmund
Bayern Munich have made a Jekyll and Hyde start to the new season, enjoying a 100-per-cent record in the Champions League but languishing in mid-table in the Bundesliga.
The defending champions bounced back from last weekend's shock home defeat to surprise league leaders Mainz by snatching an 89th- minute winner against Basel in Europe.
On Sunday, Bayern travel to second-placed Borussia Dortmund knowing that defeat would see them fall a massive 10 points behind Juergen Klopp's side.
"Sunday is very important. We have to win, no excuses," said Bayern captain Mark van Bommel.
"We aren't on the right track yet."
Louis van Gaal's side celebrated a 5-1 victory in the corresponding fixture last season but will be without Franck Ribery and long-term absentee Arjen Robben this time around.
Midfielder Hamit Altintop is also a serious doubt after picking up a groin injury in the 2-1 win against Basel. The Turkey international was forced to withdraw at half-time on Tuesday but said he remained hopeful of recovering in time.
Dortmund, meanwhile, have improved significantly since last year's hammering with Shinji Kagawa a revelation since joining from Cerezo Osaka and 18-year-old Mario Goetze showing he is an attacking midfielder of immense promise.
Last weekend's 3-1 win against St Pauli came on the back of a 5-0 demolition of Kaiserslautern, just the latest indicators of Dortmund's attacking ethos this season under Klopp.
"Our game is based around having a functioning set-up and putting our opponents under pressure," explained sporting director Michael Zorc.
Van Gaal, who earlier this week extended his contract with Bayern until the end of the 2012 season, gave his players the day off Thursday while Dortmund were in Europa League action against Sevilla.
"We will have more time to recover, that's to our advantage," said Bayern striker Miroslav Klose.
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The defending champions bounced back from last weekend's shock home defeat to surprise league leaders Mainz by snatching an 89th- minute winner against Basel in Europe.
On Sunday, Bayern travel to second-placed Borussia Dortmund knowing that defeat would see them fall a massive 10 points behind Juergen Klopp's side.
"Sunday is very important. We have to win, no excuses," said Bayern captain Mark van Bommel.
"We aren't on the right track yet."
Louis van Gaal's side celebrated a 5-1 victory in the corresponding fixture last season but will be without Franck Ribery and long-term absentee Arjen Robben this time around.
Midfielder Hamit Altintop is also a serious doubt after picking up a groin injury in the 2-1 win against Basel. The Turkey international was forced to withdraw at half-time on Tuesday but said he remained hopeful of recovering in time.
Dortmund, meanwhile, have improved significantly since last year's hammering with Shinji Kagawa a revelation since joining from Cerezo Osaka and 18-year-old Mario Goetze showing he is an attacking midfielder of immense promise.
Last weekend's 3-1 win against St Pauli came on the back of a 5-0 demolition of Kaiserslautern, just the latest indicators of Dortmund's attacking ethos this season under Klopp.
"Our game is based around having a functioning set-up and putting our opponents under pressure," explained sporting director Michael Zorc.
Van Gaal, who earlier this week extended his contract with Bayern until the end of the 2012 season, gave his players the day off Thursday while Dortmund were in Europa League action against Sevilla.
"We will have more time to recover, that's to our advantage," said Bayern striker Miroslav Klose.
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