AFP, Berlin

Bayern Munich’s home ‘Klassiker’ clash with Borussia Dortmund takes place on Saturday against the backdrop of potential Champions League elimination for both sides.

The clash, which has emerged as the Bundesliga’s showpiece rivalry over the past 15 years since Dortmund won back-to-back titles under Jurgen Klopp, falls in between the two legs of both clubs’ Champions League two-legged quarterfinals.

On Tuesday, an injury-decimated Bayern lost 2-1 at home against Inter Milan in the first leg.

In the second leg, Vincent Kompany’s side will need to win by two goals to avoid extra time, or by one and hope to triumph on penalties.

The situation for Dortmund, who were Champions League finalists last season, is far more dire.

Niko Kovac’s men were thumped 4-0 in Barcelona and will need to pull off one of the biggest turnarounds in the competition’s history to reach the semifinals.

Complicating matters for both Bayern and Dortmund is that there is still plenty at stake in the league.

With six games remaining, Bayern could be just three points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen at kick-off, should Xabi Alonso’s side beat Union Berlin earlier on Saturday.

Bayern cannot afford a slip against Dortmund as Leverkusen have won 14 of their past 18 games and have lost just once.

Wanting to keep their slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive, Dortmund, who sit eighth, five points off the top four, will go to Munich to fight for every point.

Fresh from the humbling in Barcelona, Kovac warned his side could expect more of the same on Saturday, saying: “Bayern are on the same level as Barcelona. We need to do better defensively.”