The 2019/20 Bundesliga season kicks off on August 16th, a little over two weeks from now. This weekend, however, fans of Germany’s top flight will get a preview of what should be an exciting year. Bayern Munich will face Borussia Dortmund away from home, both sides hoping to establish early-season dominance by winning the 2019 DFL Supercup.
2019 DFL Supercup: Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
A Not-so-Meaningless Title
All things considered, the DFL Supercup is not really that big of a deal. In fact, it is often more of a glorified pre-season match than anything else. At other times, however, Germany’s two top teams compete for the title and it turns into a real spectacle.
On Saturday, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund face off at Signal Iduna Park for the 2019/20 season’s first Klassiker. Both sides have had a rigorous preseason campaign, and neither will be keen on losing to their most bitter rival of modern times – even if it is ‘just’ the Supercup.
Whichever club wins the match will head into the 2019/20 campaign with a major confidence boost, having already got one up on their fiercest adversary. That may not seem like much, but both sides will take any advantage they can get ahead of what is shaping up to be another nail-biter of a Bundesliga season.
Key Battles
Saturday’s match will feature a handful of key battles that might determine who comes out on top. One of the most exciting conflicts will be the one between Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels. The two have now played together at both clubs, and with Hummels back at Dortmund there is perhaps no centre-back in Europe more prepared to deal with Lewandowski’s attacking prowess.
Bayern rely heavily on the Polish superstar to put the ball in the back of the net. If Hummels can keep him from doing that, the Black and Yellows have a great chance of lifting the first German title of the 2019/20 season.
In the centre of the park, all eyes will be on midfield bosses Thiago Alcantara and Axel Witsel. Both players fill massive roles at their respective clubs. Whichever side can establish midfield dominance will take control of the game, and these two guys will be the ones responsible for ensuring it is their squad that does just that.
2019 DFL Supercup Prediction
Both Bayern and Dortmund have looked strong in their respective preseason campaigns. Lucien Favre seems to have integrated each of his new signings into the team without issue. Niko Kovac, meanwhile, has clearly made tactical improvements and appears willing to be a bit braver with his lineups and on-field approach.
Although the match is in Dortmund, expect Bayern to typically control possession, while the host’s rapid attack will look to hurt the Bavarians in transition. That being said, Niko Kovac has pushed for a more well-rounded attacking approach since taking over at Bayern, and his side has shown this preseason the ability to move quickly going forward.
Both sides will be without a few players but will still be able to field strong lineups for the match. Expect an exciting, end-to-end match between two very attack-minded sides. The game could be decided by whichever club’s defence rises to the occasion, but it is more likely that the 2019 DFL Supercup will be decided by the much-maligned penalty shootout.
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