Champions League Final Preview : Real Madrid vs Dortmund

May 24, 2024 | Manish Kumar Dev 370 Reads

Manish Kumar Dev

A dedicated sports enthusiast with a deep-rooted passion for football, cricket and eSports, actively involved in playing, coaching, and analyzing all these sports

Manish Kumar Dev

A dedicated sports enthusiast with a deep-rooted passion for football, cricket and eSports, actively involved in playing, coaching, and analyzing all these sports

Next week UEFA Champions League final is fast approaching. While many expected Real Madrid to face Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappe, it is Borussia Dortmund who will challenge the Spanish giants at Wembley Stadium. Dortmund surprised everyone by not only finishing ahead of PSG in the group stage but also eliminating them in the semifinals. This sets up a final between 14-time winners Real Madrid and one-time winners Dortmund. Here's how the two teams compare across positions.

Match Details

Champions League final: Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid

Date: Sunday, June 2

Time: 00:45 NPT

Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England

Attack Analysis

Real Madrid's attack is strong even without Mbappe. Vinicius Junior is the standout, with Jude Bellingham often playing in an advanced role. Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim Diaz, and the recently recovered Arda Guler add quality. Dortmund, on the other hand, has Niclas Fullkrug, who scored against PSG, and an in-form Jadon Sancho. Karim Adeyemi, Donyell Malen, and a recovering Sebastien Haller also provide options, but they don't quite match Real's depth.

Advantage: Real Madrid

Midfield Analysis

Assuming Bellingham plays forward and Tchouameni is injured, Real Madrid's midfield features Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Luka Modric. Their technical skills and experience make them tough to beat. Dortmund counters with Julian Brandt in great form, Emre Can, Marcel Sabitzer, and the versatile Marco Reus. While strong, they don't quite measure up to Real's quality.

Advantage: Real Madrid

Defense Analysis

Real Madrid's defense is regaining key players like Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Ferland Mendy, and Eder Militao. However, Militao is still recovering, and Tchouameni, who sometimes plays in defense, is injured. Dortmund's Mats Hummels is in top form, boosting confidence in Nico Schlotterbeck. Julian Ryerson and Ian Maatsen are solid wide options. Dortmund's consistency in defense gives them the edge.

Advantage: Borussia Dortmund

Goalkeeper

Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin has had a great season, but Thibaut Courtois might return from injury. If fit, Courtois is a game-changer, but his fitness is uncertain. Dortmund's Gregor Kobel is in outstanding form and will aim to continue that in the final.

Advantage: Borussia Dortmund

Head Coach

Dortmund's Edin Terzic has done a fantastic job, but he faces Carlo Ancelotti, one of the greatest tacticians in Champions League history with four titles. Ancelotti's experience and success give Real Madrid a significant advantage.

Advantage: Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham's performance in midfield and Andriy Lunin's goalkeeping will be crucial for Real Madrid's chances in the finals. With only a single loss in the ongoing La Liga season, Madrid has already been crowned champions. They currently hold a 12-point lead over second-placed Barcelona with one match remaining, showcasing their dominance this season.

The opinions presented here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily relfect the opinions of SportsGuff.