Mueller out to settle Dortmund score
Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Mueller says the Bavarian giants have a score to settle in Saturday's Bundesliga clash at home to defending champions Borussia Dortmund.
"Eighty percent of the Bayern players have been involved in the last two years when we've been well and truly beaten by Dortmund - and we want to turn that round," said the Germany star.
Bayern have lost their last four Bundesliga matches against Dortmund -dating back to February 2010 - and Munich were also humiliated 5-2 by Borussia in the German Cup final last May in Berlin.
"It's time to win against Dortmund," summed up Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with Munich holding a ten-point lead at the top of the league table with Dortmund 11 points behind in third.
"Match of the giants", "El Clasico" and "Mega-match" have all been used in the German media to describe the game which will be broadcast live in 203 countries.
"It's hard to still find superlatives to describe it," Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes admitted given the hype surrounding the fixture.
Having failed to win any silverware for the last two years, Bayern would hold a 14-point lead over Dortmund if they win at the Allianz Arena.
"The pressure is already big enough," said Bayern president Uli Hoeness.
While France wing Franck Ribery has said he is "100 percent sure" Bayern will finish the season as German champions, Munich's director of sport Matthias Sammer said the pressure of being favourites is a positive for Bayern.
"I know that we are always best when we are under pressure. That's why we want to be under pressure," the 45-year-old told SID, an AFP subsidiary.
"It's not a final - a final is live or die."
While nothing will be decided on Saturday for the victors or losers, Dortmund have to start bridging the gap sooner rather than later.
"It will be a difficult game for us. Bayern are favourites, they are playing their own season," said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.
"The fact is Bayern are showing a different nature compared to last season, they are greedy and bitter."
Dortmund defender Mats Hummels said Borussia face an uphill battle.
"It doesn't look as though we will win the title," admitted the centre-back surprisingly.
"No matter how things work out, if we win (on Saturday) that won't decide anything and likewise, if Bayern win, it won't decide the title race."
The Dortmund trio of Hummels plus midfielders Mario Goetze and Ilkay Gundogan look like they will all be fit after shaking off knocks, while Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to return to Bayern's team after a cold.
