Jurgen Klopp believes that Bayern Munich's form this campaign is down to Borussia Dortmund's performances in the past two seasons.
The Dortmund coach says that his side's triumphs in the Bundesliga in 2011 and 2012 have inspired the Bavarian giants to step up their game.
"We have been winding Bayern up for two years," ESPNSoccernet quotes him as saying.
"We have really charged them up. The new approach they have taken with a new director of sport (Matthias Sammer) and their transfer activities also have a bit to do with us.
"You could say we have been pulling their elastic for two years, and all they had to do was release themselves from it."
Dortmund are currently 12 points behind leaders Bayern in third place in the Bundesliga.