Schweinsteiger plays down Dortmund rivalry

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has said that he does not fear for a lasting rivalry with Borussia Dortmund, claiming that his side will always have the edge. Dortmund took the title last season and, despite a difficult start to their defence, they have edged their way up to within three points of the league leaders Bayern at the midway stage of the season. Dortmund also won in Munich's Allianz Arena for the second season running, but Schweinsteiger does not see any shift in power. "It is always going to be down to us how titles are decided," he told Kicker magazine. "We know that Dortmund have a good team, but I think that Bayern will always have more quality in our team." Dortmund's elimination from the UEFA Champions League has given Schweinsteiger all the evidence he needs to confirm that, in his opinion, Bayern are still streets ahead of Jurgen Klopp's side. "We are one of the five teams in Europe who are capable of winning the Champions League," he added. "It is a shame about Dortmund (going out early)."