Bayern renew bid to win league as Dortmund battle Leipzig

Emil Forsberg (R) scored with a stunning volley in RB Leipzig's last-gasp 2-1 victory at Werder Bremen in the German Cup semi-finals a week ago

Berlin, (AFP): Bayern Munich make their second attempt to wrap up the Bundesliga title on Saturday after Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig clash earlier in a rehearsal for next week’s German Cup final.

A 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Mainz a fortnight ago cost Bayern the chance to be confirmed Bundesliga champions for the ninth straight season.

With three games left, they can now secure the title at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach late on Saturday.

However, Bayern’s seven-point lead at the top could be cut before kick-off as second-placed Leipzig head to Dortmund earlier in the day.

Fifth-placed Dortmund are a point from the Champions League places and want a home win to boost their European ambitions while laying down a marker for next Thursday’s domestic final.

“We want three points – and to win the cup five days later,” admitted Dortmund captain Marco Reus.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dortmund posted losses of 26.3 million euros ($ 31.7 million) in the first half of the 2020/21 financial year, which could be eased by the 15.25 million euros each club receives for qualifying for the Champions League’s group stages.

The pressure is on both clubs.

Leipzig want a confidence booster before the final and revenge for January’s 3-1 home defeat when Erling Braut Haaland netted twice after Jadon Sancho’s opening goal for Dortmund.

“It’s going to be an interesting ‘Dortmund week’ for us with two important games,” said Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann, who will leave to coach Bayern next season.

Dortmund are set to welcome back top-scorer Haaland, who missed last Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of second-tier Holstein Kiel in the cup semi-finals with a thigh injury. After training again this week, Haaland is hopefully “pain-free and an option”, head coach Edin Terzic said Thursday.

Leipzig are missing midfielders Christopher Nkunku and Tyler Adams, who are both suffering from back problems.

Later in Munich, a home win will guarantee Bayern a ninth straight league title as they look to avenge a 3-2 defeat at Moenchengladbach last January.

Thomas Mueller has warned the Bavarians will not repeat the mistakes made in Mainz and are fresh after a two-week break due to last weekend’s German Cup semi-finals.