Heading into Saturday's Der Klassiker at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich top the Bundesliga on goal difference ahead of Borussia Dortmund, with the two rivals level on points.
Despite the two teams being so close in the table, Borussia Dortmund legend and advisor Matthias Sammer is in no doubt that Bayern Munich are significant favourites.
"There is no German team that comes anywhere close to Bayern Munich's quality – and that includes Borussia Dortmund," Sammer stated in an interview with RTL/Sky Sport during the talk show "Sammer & Basile – der Hagedorn-Talk".
"On Saturday, Bayern Munich will decide whether they win this match or not – Bayern Munich alone, not Borussia Dortmund – because they are so much better than every other team in Germany," he added.
While the Black and Yellows will naturally head into the game determined to get a result, Sammer believes they will struggle to achieve their goal.
"Of course Borussia Dortmund want to win this match on Saturday. The mental determination to do so is there, 100 percent. But it's like me wanting to run a marathon with my knee in its current condition. I can set my mind to it and want it more than anything. But it won't work. My health won't allow it. My training won't allow it. My level of endurance simply isn't sufficient," Sammer explained.
In terms of quality, FC Bayern have simply moved "so far ahead" of the rest of the Bundesliga "that they can still absorb a few unfortunate setbacks thanks to the quality and depth of their squad," Sammer argued, referring to the significant injury problems that have recently affected Bayern but didn't stop them from winning 3-1 away at Freiburg at the weekend.
