Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund - Robben hopes for home celebration

Posted Friday, March 30, 2018 by PA

Bayern Munich will be hoping they can wrap up another Bundesliga title when they host Borussia Dortmund in ‘Der Klassiker’ on Saturday.

If second-placed Schalke lose to Freiburg on Saturday afternoon and then Bayern beat their rivals later that evening, a 28th league crown will be theirs.

Bayern have not clinched the championship at home in any of the last six times they have won it, so winger Arjen Robben is hoping they can give the Allianz Arena crowd an Easter treat.

“I love the big occasion and, in the past, the matches against Dortmund were always big occasions,” the Dutchman said on Bayern’s official website.

“You can always give that little bit more in them.

“(The title) is in the back of your mind. If I could pick the time, naturally I’d go for Saturday.

“The last six championships were decided away from home and the fans deserve to celebrate us winning it at home.

“But we’re dependent on other results and, unfortunately can’t make it happen ourselves.

“Dortmund are playing better now, especially under the new coach.

“Dortmund have and always will be a very good team. Even though they haven’t been very consistent this season, they repeatedly show their class in individual matches, and that’s why I’m sure they’ll put on a good performance.”

Robben will be fit to play having recently struggled with an injury, Arturo Vidal and Juan Bernat are doubts and Kingsley Coman and Manuel Neuer are out.

Dortmund coach Peter Stoger does not want his side to be a footnote in Munich as they have their own ambitions of finishing second.

He said on Dortmund’s official website: “The objectives are clearly defined – Bayern want to become the best team. They’re doing that.

“We’re hoping and aiming to become the second-best team. We’ve not yet achieved that.

“We want to get something from the game, play an active part in the game, have possession and break up their rhythm.”

Stoger has a lengthy injury list to contend with, as Shinji Kagawa, Andrey Yarmolenko, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Erik Durm, Sebastian Rode, Marco Reus and Omer Toprak are all due to miss out.