Neuer on match vs. Dortmund match: 'This fixture always feels like a final'

Saturday's encounter between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund continues to be a massive match, despite the gap between the two Bundesliga clubs.

While Bayern look set to capture their third consecutive Bundesliga crown, relegation actually looked like a real possibility for Dortmund as they stumbled out of the gate with a miserable first half of the season.

Yet, the encounter continues to be one of the highlights of the season for both sets of fans, neutral supporters and players.

"We benchmark ourselves against the best. This fixture always feels like a final," Bayern Munich 'keeper Manuel Neuer told the team's website.

"Everyone looks forward to this match, there's always a fantastic atmosphere at the stadium. And it’s been comfortably the biggest game in German football in recent years,"

The teams played a tight match earlier in the season that saw Bayern come away victorious with a 2-1 victory at the height of Dortmund's struggles in November. Another tight affair is to be expected once again as Bayern attempt to fend off Wolfsburg's surge up the table, and Dortmund try to secure a spot in the Europa League.

"I don’t believe Dortmund will park the bus. They’ll want to put on a show at home," Neuer said.

Adding to Dortmund's motivation to come away with three points is the absence of several key figures in the Bayern squad.

Bayern enter Sunday's contest without the services of Arjen Robben, David Alaba, Franck Ribery and others who will miss the match through injuries.

"We won’t have worse players on the pitch, just different types of player. I don't see it as a problem."