Der Klassiker: The ultimate stat guide for Germany’s biggest football rivalry

Der Klassiker is the name given to any football match between two of Germany's biggest teams - Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Two of Bundesliga’s most successful teams of all time, Bayern and Dortmund have shared 24 of the last 28 Bundesliga titles between themselves. Of these 24 titles, Bayern have accounted for 18. This includes their ongoing run of nine consecutive league titles.

Unlike other football derbies like the El Clasico and the Liverpool-Manchester United rivalry, the Der Klassiker has little historic significance as there is no significant history between the two outside the football field.

In fact, the rivalry only grew during the 1990s when Dortmund began to grow as a team. In 2012, Dortmund won their second consecutive Bundesliga title and became the first team other than Bayern to do so since 1996.

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: Der Klassiker head-to-head record in all competitions

The two teams have played a total of 131 matches across all competitions in the past. Bayern Munich have won 67 matches while Dortmund have come out on top on just 34 occasions. As many as 30 matches have ended in draws.

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: Der Klassiker head-to-head record in Bundesliga

Bayern and Dortmund’s first meeting in Bundesliga (or Germany’s top division) came during the 1965-66 season which ended in a 2-0 win for the latter. Since then, the two have crossed paths in 105 Bundesliga matches, with Bayern winning 51 and Dortmund 25. The remaining (29) matches have ended without a winner.

Interestingly, Bayern are unbeaten against Dortmund in the Bundesliga since November 2018. The Bavarians have won each of their last six matches against Dortmund, scoring 20 goals and conceding just six.

Most goals in Der Klassiker

Former Dortmund and current Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski has scored the most goals in Der Klassiker. The 33-year-old has netted 32 times (27 for Bayern and five for Dortmund); a return which is significantly more than former Bayern Munich legend Gerd Muller’s tally of 15 goals in the Der Klassiker.

Players who played for Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund

Only a total of 9 players have ever turned up for both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Some of the top names include Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels and  Mario Gotze.

From Bayern to Dortmund

1988 - Michael Rummenigge (direct transfer) 

1998 - Christian Nerlinger (direct transfer)

2008 - Mats Hummels (direct transfer, came back to Bayern in 2016 and move to Dortmund in 2019)

2016 - Sebastian Rode (direct transfer)

From Dortmund to Bayern

1989 - Jurgen Wegmann (via Schalke and back to Dortmund)

1992 - Thomas Helmer (direct transfer)

2004 - Torsten Frings (direct transfer)

2013 - Mario Gotze (direct transfer and back to Dortmund)

2014 - Robert Lewandowski (direct transfer)

Featured photo: AFP / John Macdougall