Der Klassiker refers to matches between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, two clubs that have won a combined 27 of the last 32 Bundesliga titles. While the rivalry reached its peak in the early 2010s—culminating in the 2013 UEFA Champions League final—many critics dispute the "classic" label, noting it lacks the historic depth of fixtures like Dortmund's Revierderby with Schalke 04. The history spans from their 1965 first meeting, including Bayern's massive 11–1 win in 1971, to a heated 1990s era where Dortmund won the 1997 Champions League at Bayern's home stadium and Bayern later poached Dortmund's coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. Interestingly, Bayern also loaned Dortmund €2 million in 2004 to save them from bankruptcy. Dortmund's resurgence, powered by stars like Robert Lewandowski, led them to consecutive titles in 2011 and 2012, solidifying the match as an intense, elite-level spectacle—even if its claim to true "classic" status remains debatable.