German Cup final

The outcome of any sporting final is recorded in the history books, but this year's German Cup final has an especially motivating factor for the two sides in question. For Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich, it's a chance not only to define this season, but to forget the 2012 DFB Pokal final in Berlin, a 5-2 defeat to double-winners Dortmund. Jürgen Klopp and his Borussia Dortmund team are keen to deny Bayern the double, and to prove that the footballing gap between the two is non-existent.

Bayern dominated the league, but only so long as they needed to. Guardiola's decision to favor squad rotation over preserving Bayern's momentum has become a difficult balancing act. His handling of Arjen Robben's fitness has been good, but Franck Ribery, who recently vented his frustration at his manager's rotation policy, only made 22 league starts this season having struggled with injury.

Perhaps it's not fair to focus on Ribery here, when it also seems possible that the 31-year-old winger is just disgruntled at the prospect of the latter stages of his career approaching. Then again, the unfortunate news that midfielder Thiago suffered an injury setback in training earlier in the week and will not only miss the cup final but also the World Cup as a result, adds to the bemusement.

Rusty, not rested

Guardiola got the league job done in historic and astounding fashion, winning the Bundesliga title in record time. But then he cast this momentum aside, and his squad preservation was not rewarded as Bayern limped towards the end of the season. The nurturing of his key players has seemingly done little but make them rusty. Ahead of the cup final against a resurrected Dortmund side, that is a serious concern.

A defeat for Bayern and this season has been one of sideways progress under Guardiola's leadership. Last season, Bayern were a formidable foe capable of both direct and patient play. And they always, always posed a goal threat. A treble was the reward for former coach Jupp Heynckes. Guardiola has arrived and turned Bayern into a passing machine. Early signs showed no reduction in their attacking third exploitation, but a loss of momentum and seemingly a stubborn lack of in-game versatility has left them short of attacking ideas of late.

The succesful defense of two of a possible three titles however, would be quite the beginning for Pep. Considering it's the coach's first season in German football and the comprehensive tactical change that the Spaniard has implemented on the squad, a domestic double would be a great season for Bayern. There is of course a reason that no side has defended the Champions League title and bearing that in mind, their inability to become the first is perhaps more forgiveable. The manner of their exit though, losing 4-0 at home in the semifinal second leg, was far from acceptable and highlighted exactly what Bayern are currently vulnerable to. Namely, exactly what Dortmund have to offer.

Kings on the counter

Dortmund successfully took their brand of ruthless counterattacking football onto the continent last season, making the Champions League final despite giving up their Bundesliga title of the previous two seasons.

In this campaign, after a shaky start, Dortmund have rediscovered this football identity at just the right time. Ahead of Saturday, Dortmund are in the same vein of form that captivated thousands of new European supporters in their memorable run to the final at Wembley. Along with the Bundesliga's top goalscorer - Robert Lewandowski bagged 20 league goals this season - Marco Reus has burst into sensational form, scoring seven and assisting five in the final seven games of the league season. Dortmund amassed 71 points in the league to finish in second and were only one goal shy of taking Real Madrid to extra time in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Back at Christmas, when the club signed ageing centre back Manuel Friederich out of necessity due to a spate of defensive injuries, all this seemed inconceivable. A four-game winless streak that started before the winter break and finished at the end of January had many concerned that Dortmund's status as Germany's second best team was under threat. But six wins in their final seven league games gives them an edge that perhaps their Bavarian opponents lack.

Bayern with more to lose?

As a result, a cup final defeat doesn't hamper Dortmund. Their season has been plagued by snags and so ultimately finishing second to Bayern on all fronts matches expectations and could build towards launching a stronger challenge of their Bavarian rivals next season. A win transforms the campaign for Dortmund though. Bad luck and poor composure look destined to be their season-end headlines.

Yet a victory in Berlin would remind Bayern - and not for the first time - that however many players they pinch, however large their budget is, the Dortmund challenge is here to stay. It would also give coach Jürgen Klopp another tactical win against Guardiola, the departing Robert Lewandowski a fitting swangsong and Dortmund a possible springboard towards a more competitive Bundesliga campaign.

Although the game is unlikely to be as open as last season's Champions League final, it will be intriguing to see Dortmund's fluid counterattacking style come against Bayern's disciplined possession-based formation. And whoever wins the day will have dotted the i on their 2013/14 campaign.