Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has said he is relishing next month's "moment of truth" showdown when the Bavarians face Dortmund in a battle royal which could well decide the German league title.
Second-placed Bayern's 2-1 win over Hanover 96 at Munich's Allianz Arena on Saturday trimmed Dortmund's lead at the top of the Bundesliga to just two points with the defending champions in action at Cologne on Sunday.
Dortmund host Bayern at their Signal Iduna Park stadium on April 11 and Hoeness believes the Bavarians, who have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, have a "very, very good chance" of beating their rivals.
"I am convinced that we will be German champions if we win in Dortmund, no matter what happens before or after," said Hoeness.
"When we play in Dortmund, that will be the moment of truth."
Just as he did last season, Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has discouraged his team from any title talk with the season to finish on May 5, but captain Sebastian Kehl broke ranks last week by saying top spot is now theirs to lose.
Hoeness says he expects a "small war of attrition in which we have to keep putting in pinpricks.
"And a victory against a strong team like Hanover is a needle stick which will eventually have an effect."
Three days after their German Cup semi-final win on penalties at Moenchengladbach, Bayern were impressive at home to Hanover.
Goals by Germany midfielder Toni Kroos and striker Mario Gomez put Bayern ahead before Ivory Coast Didier Ya Konan scored a spectacular consolation goal late on for Hanover with an over-head kick.
Coach Jupp Heynckes said his star-studded team, with Gomez, Dutch winger Arjen Robben and France star Franck Ribery all in form, have the experience to knock Dortmund from their perch and deny them a second consecutive title.
"The team is very willing to work, we have a cohesive team - on and off the field, we have acted very cleverly," said Heynckes.
"We have to win our games and worry about ourselves, which is what we did."
Source: AFP
