FIFA 20 combined Klassiker XI: Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund
As we countdown to the 102nd Klassiker between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the idea sprung to the minds of those at bundesliga.com to see how you could build the best possible team of players from both Bundesliga giants.
We don't want to just build this team, but we want you to be able to play it as well, and so our combined Klassiker XI is made using the best-rated players on EA Sports' FIFA 20 game. So, who makes the cut in the virtual world?
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (88)
Bayern and Germany's No.1 remains the Bundesliga's highest-rated goalkeeper on FIFA. Only four shot-stoppers on the game have a higher rating than 34-year-old Neuer, whose outstanding scores across the board make him a must-have player. His 91 kicking provides you with the chance to pin your opponents back with counter-attacks, while his diving, handling and reflexes all stand at 87.
Right-back: Joshua Kimmich (86)
Not only is Kimmich the best right-back between Bayern and Dortmund, he's also the highest-rated player in his position in the entire game. The next best is Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal who is 85-rated, which is a testament to Kimmich's incredible talent. Ratings of 86 and 84 for passing and dribbling mean you'll have no problem playing out from the back with the Germany international in your team. His 79 defending and 78 physicality also make him a force to be reckoned with when keeping goals out.
Watch: How Kimmich has become one of the world's best right-backs
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Centre-back: Mats Hummels (87)
Hummels remains the Bundesliga's top-rated central defender on FIFA 20 and will play a key role in the real-life Klassiker on Matchday 28. The 31-year-old re-joined Dortmund last summer from Bayern after winning three Bundesliga titles in a row and now has his eyes set on returning the Meisterschale to black-and-yellow at the end of this season. He could help win you some silverware on FIFA 20 too.
Centre-back: Niklas Süle (85)
Sadly, Süle is unlikely to be on the pitch at the Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday as he continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury. The Germany international is one of the Bundesliga’s fastest improving players both in the real and virtual worlds, though, and will be vital in your team both now and in the future – should you get him in Career Mode - as his rating rises.
Left-back: David Alaba (85)
Bayern's left-back supreme is also one of the most enjoyable players to use in the gaming world. Consistent stats across the board allow him to be solid in whatever situation, which is certainly reflected by his on-field performances. Despite being behind Barcelona's Jordi Alba for the highest-rated left-back in the game, Alaba outperforms the Spaniard in several areas. The 27-year-old – who can also play in central midfield – has better ratings than Alba for shooting, defending and physicality.
Watch: Alaba brings more to your team than just expert defending!
Defensive midfielder: Axel Witsel (85)
Dortmund's Belgian midfield brute is another of FIFA gamers' favourite players to use in the virtual world. It's hard to find a more dominant defensive midfielder on the game, with Witsel's four-star skills moves and four-star weak foot rating showing he is far more than just a ball winner. While Witsel's highest stat rating is only 83 for defending, his lowest is also just 73 for pace, making him Mr. Consistent in this team.
Defensive midfielder: Thiago (87)
Spanish international Thiago is a central midfielder on the game, and one of the very best. Only Luka Modric, Paul Pogba and former Bayern midfielder Toni Kroos have a higher rating on FIFA – and there are many reasons to use the Barcelona youth product. Five-star skills make him a joy to use if you know your tricks, while 85 passing and 90 dribbling make it almost impossible for Thiago to lose the ball. He's the perfect partner for Witsel in this and your FIFA team.
Right winger: Jadon Sancho (84)
While BVB's English teenager does have the same 84 overall rating as Serge Gnabry, we've played him ahead of his Bayern counterpart in our team after taking his potential rating into account. Should you go for Sancho on your Career Mode he will rise as high as 92 overall. A frightening prospect for everyone you come up against. And both Sancho and Gnabry are players you can be happy to use right away.
Watch: Sancho's Bundesliga Mixtape!
Attacking midfielder: Marco Reus (88)
Dortmund's captain fantastic could be out for the rest of the campaign but you can still use him in your FIFA team! One of the very best players to use on the game, Reus is as lethal as they come in his CAM position. With 85 pace, 88 shooting, 84 passing and 87 dribbling, the Germany international is a threat in every scenario, and his leadership trait means he can wear the armband for your side, too.
Left winger: Philippe Coutinho (86)
While Coutinho is a left-winger on FIFA 20, the Brazilian star can play just as well as CAM or even right-winger on the game. That versatility and his technical skill make him stand out among the rest both on the pitch and on the screen. Coutinho's five-star skills, four-star weak foot, 90 dribbling and 84 passing make him the definition of a playmaker.
Striker: Robert Lewandowski (89)
Despite Erling Haaland's fantastic record since coming to the Bundesliga, there is only one man for the job when it comes to leading the line of our combined Klassiker XI. Only one striker is rated higher than Lewandowski on FIFA 20 - a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. Bayern's No.9 is arguably the best striker in the world right now, though, and he is one of the most complete on the game with 87 shooting, 85 dribbling and 82 physicality making him an overall powerhouse.
Watch: The undefendable Robert Lewandowski!
Subs
Thomas Müller (86)
While positioned as a CAM on the FIFA 20 game, Müller – like in real life – can play almost anywhere in attack for you and your team. The 'Raumdeuter' (space interpreter) is a hard player to replicate in-game format as Müller's best qualities cannot be put into simple statistics and attributes, but he still holds a high 86 rating with fantastic attributes such as 92 positioning, 87 finishing and 91 reactions.
Roman Bürki (85)
Dortmund's No.1 has been in-form over the last year and was rewarded with an upgrade from FIFA 19 to FIFA 20, making him an 85 overall goalkeeper. The joint-second-highest rated shot-stopper in the Bundesliga – alongside RB Leipzig's Peter Gulacsi – is fantastic in-game at doing just that, saving shots. His 86 diving and 89 reflexes are two of the highest marks for any goalkeeper on the game.
Lucas Hernandez (84)
Bayern's French World Cup-winning centre-back/left-back has one of the highest potential ratings among all Klassiker players, with only Sancho and Süle enjoying a higher ceiling. His current rating of 84 isn't bad, either, and Hernandez is regarded as one of the best centre-backs on FIFA 20 thanks to his rating of 81 for pace – an unusually high stat for a defender.
Julian Brandt (84)
The future is bright for 24-year-old Brandt, but the Dortmund attacking midfielder is also proving himself to be a real talent in the here and now. His 84 rating is a reflection of his impressive performances with Bayer Leverkusen last season and BVB this, and with a potential rating on FIFA 20 of 88, it’s clear that he has to be in your Career Mode plans if you want Bundesliga stars for the future.
Kingsley Coman (84)
Replacing Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery was also going to be difficult, but in Gnabry and Coman, Bayern have found two of world’s footballs most talented wingers for now and the future. The Frenchman's slight edge over Gnabry in terms of potential rating – 88 to 87 – gives him the spot on the substitutes bench here, and Coman is already the highest-rated left midfielder in the Bundesliga, alongside teammate Ivan Perisic.
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