Saturday’s clash between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund will not lack any spice despite both sides in the midst of struggling domestic seasons.
Normally a battle between the two sides eyeing Bayern Munich’s crown as Germany’s best, both sixth-placed Leipzig and Dortmund, in 10th, are fighting to be in next season’s Champions League.
Since their promotion in 2016, Leipzig have only once failed to make Europe’s top competition.
Champions League finalists in June, Dortmund have not missed out on the elite event since finishing seventh in the 2014-15 season — which proved to be Jurgen Klopp’s last at the club.
Both clubs are heavily reliant on Champions League football from a financial perspective.
But with Mainz and Freiburg well on track for a first-ever Champions League participation, finishing in the top four is a tough target.
Speaking with AFP and other media on Thursday, Leipzig midfielder Ridle Baku said his side would thrive with their backs to the wall.
“They need to win, we also need to win. But I think these games make us better, because we need to perform 100 percent, otherwise we’re not going to win this game,” he said.
“But I like to have that kind of pressure. I always play better when we have pressure.”
Despite their recent struggles in Germany, Dortmund will be buoyed by Wednesday’s win over Lille which put them through to the last eight in the Champions League.
Dortmund’s win was built on the dogged determination new coach Niko Kovac, appointed in January, has been known for throughout his career.
Baku played under Kovac at Wolfsburg and knows the difference his former mentor can make.
“I loved to play for him. The Dortmund players, they’ll have to run a lot. They will have to fight otherwise there’s a problem.
“We had good times, some difficult times like any coach, but I also learned a lot from him. I wish him all the best — but not for Saturday.”
Leaders Bayern Munich, who sit eight points ahead of defending champions Bayer Leverkusen, play at Union Berlin.
Leverkusen, who were eliminated by Bayern in the last 16 of the Champions League midweek, travel to last season’s runners-up Stuttgart.
Despite playing in an RB Leipzig side who have struggled, striker Benjamin Sesko continues to impress.
He has 17 goals in all competitions this season, his best return at this stage of the competition in his career so far.
Since arriving in the winter break from Wolfsburg, midfielder Ridle Baku told AFP that Sesko has “everything you need to become a world-class player.
“From the first training session, I knew already he was good — that good.
“Right now he hasn’t reached his full potential. But from what I saw already, he’s very impressive.”
0 in 11 — Union Berlin have never beaten Bayern Munich in 11 attempts
3 – Augsburg have conceded just three league goals in 2025 — the lowest mark of any team in Europe
6 in 21 – Eintracht Frankfurt have just six points of a possible 21 since Omar Marmoush’s departure to Manchester City in January.
Fixtures (1430 GMT unless stated)
Friday
St Pauli v Hoffenheim (1930)
Saturday
Werder Bremen v Borussia Moenchengladbach, Union Berlin v Bayern Munich, Mainz v Freiburg, Augsburg v Wolfsburg, RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund (1730)
Sunday
Bochum v Eintracht Frankfurt, Heidenheim v Holstein Kiel (1630), Stuttgart v Bayer Leverkusen (1830)
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