Two of Europe’s fiercest rivalries take centre stage today, as Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund in the Klassiker and Milan face Inter in the Derby della Madonnina. Both arrive with plenty on the line and plenty of questions, reports HABEEBULAR TIJANI.

Bayern and Dortmund meet in the first Klassiker of the Bundesliga season level on points at the top, separated only by goal difference. It is a sharp contrast to last term, when Bayern finished 16 points clear of their closest challengers.

Dortmund’s case is built on defensive solidity under Niko Kovač. Gregor Kobel has kept a league-high five clean sheets and has an 82 percent save rate, though he has yet to win in 10 Bundesliga meetings with Bayern. Nico Schlotterbeck, wearing the armband in Emre Can’s absence, has won 67 percent of his duels since returning from the injury that derailed his World Cup. Julian Ryerson has delivered a league-high 34 crosses, but finding someone to finish them is the issue: BVB have scored only 12 times, ninth in the league, and Serhou Guirassy has just two league goals, compared with four in the Champions League.

Bayern, by contrast, have scored 25, including a record 18 at home at this stage of a season. Michael Olise leads the way with six goals and three assists, while Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane has “only” four. Serge Gnabry reached 100 Bayern goals last week against Freiburg.

Depth is being tested, though. Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlović and Manuel Neuer are doubts, Luis Díaz is out, and Vincent Kompany misses the game as he recovers from health issues, leaving assistant Aaron Danks in charge. Dayot Upamecano is the constant: the only Bayern player to start all seven league games, and unbeaten in his last 51 league appearances, five short of the all-time record.

Elsewhere in Italy, Ruben Amorim  has said that  the derby feels closer to Portugal than England, with the same sense of responsibility and fan enthusiasm. His Milan side arrive stung by a first Serie A defeat, to Bologna, where they conceded twice in two minutes. Amorim admitted  little training time since the international break has left too many small details unaddressed.

Mario Gila, Adrien Rabiot and Diego Moreira are “ready” after returning to group training, with the starting line-up still to be decided. Amorim welcomed owner Gerry Cardinale’s backing and stressed that building something lasting takes time, even as winning remains the obligation at Milan. He has “zero envy” for Inter’s Cristian Chivu, but praised their opponents as a team that “can play with their eyes closed” and has the maturity that comes from winning titles.

He also stated that Milan must play higher up the pitch to help Gonçalo Ramos, who he believes can decide any match. It is a challenge Amorim says excites him, and he is not changing his convictions.