Hans-Joachim Watzke: Dortmund are still Germany's 'second power' ahead of RB Leipzig
Although RB Leipzig are Bayern's top rival for the Bundesliga title at the moment, Borussia Dortmund are still Germany's 'second power,' claims BVB chief Hans-Joachim Watzke.
Borussia Dortmund remain Germany's 'second power' behind Bayern München despite being down to fifth in the Bundesliga table, according to club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
The BVB chief insists Dortmund are still a bigger club than RB Leipzig despite the fact that 'Die Roten Bullen' are currently Bayern's top rival for the Bundesliga title, sitting second in the table with just two points less than the German champions.
"In sporting terms, RB Leipzig are a tough rival for us. They're doing really well. But it takes a lot to be the second power in Germany," Watzke told the Funke Mediengruppe.
"Sporting success over a longer period of time, charisma, fans – the whole package is important. As I said, they're a tough rival, but I still see us as the second power in Germany," he added.
Looking ahead to Saturday's 'Der Klassiker' between Bayern München and Dortmund, Watzke said:
"There's always a special aura about the game. It's not easy for us, especially because it's coming between two crunch games against Gladbach and Sevilla, but we have a good bench. We will field a team that can play football and fight back."