Dortmund showdown make-or-break for Bayern boss Kovac – Matthaeus

Berlin (AFP) – Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus says Saturday’s showdown between Bundesliga leaders Dortmund and stuttering champions Bayern Munich will make-or-break under-fire coach Niko Kovac.

The 47-year-old Kovac took charge of Bayern in July, but is already under intense pressure amidst speculation of unrest in his dressing room fuelled by poor results and lacklustre performances.

Bayern have been German champions for the last six seasons but go into this game third in the table, four points behind Dortmund, but have a great chance to re-assert themselves, according to Matthaeus.

“A victory there and all Bayern fans would conjure up a smile again,” wrote Matthaeus, 57, in his weekly column for Sky.

“This game comes at exactly the right time for Bayern.

“A lot has gone badly in the last few weeks and Saturday’s duel is a great chance for my ex-club to reassert themselves and silence a few critical voices,” added Matthaeus, who made 410 appearances for Bayern and scored 100 goals.

However, defeat at Dortmund would leave Bayern seven points behind in the table — an unthinkable position for Munich’s senior figures.

“If he (Kovac) finds the right words again, he can turn things around, but at the same time he is not allowed to lose with his team in Dortmund,” said Matthaeus.

Fellow ex-Germany and Bayern midfielder Stefan Effenberg says Dortmund, with forwards Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho in great form, will start as favourites on Saturday.

“The advantages lie with BVB (Dortmund) – you don’t need to be a football expert to see that,” said the 50-year-old.

“They are four points ahead in the table and have what Bayern lacks: they are care-free and uninhibited.

“They don’t brood (over defeats) and even win with poor performances.”

Effenberg says Bayern have “one advantage. That Dortmund has a very difficult” Champions League match at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday while Bayern are at home to Greek side AEK on Wednesday having already won 2-0 in Athens.