Charles Jackson
Next month’s UEFA Champions League final is fast approaching and although it won’t be the final that many expected, which saw Real Madrid face Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain, the Spanish giants will at least be present at the Estadio de Wembley. Borussia Dortmund shocked European football by not only finishing above the French star and the Ligue 1 champions in this year’s group stage, but also by eliminating them in the semi-final stage that produced this year’s final double. There are 14-time winners and three-time runners-up, Real, against Dortmund, who have already been winners and runners-up, so we evaluate how they both position themselves in the positions.
Champions League Final: Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid
Date: Saturday, June 1st | Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Wembley Stadium – London, England
TELEVISION: CBS | Flow: Paramount+
Attack
Firstly, at the top, the pre-Mbappé Real is already quite formidable, even if there was no obvious focal point in this front line prior to the French international’s arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu. Vinicius Junior is the main star, although Jude Bellingham, being often deployed as an attacking midfielder, also makes him a heavy hitter in this attack. Add Rodrygo and Joselu, as well as the recent recovery of Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler and there is a lot of quality in this Real attacking force. On the other side, Niclas Fullkrug was heroic and scored one of the goals that condemned PSG to elimination in the semi-finals. Factor in an in-form Jadon Sancho and then the blistering pace of Karim Adeyemi and Donyell Malen, plus the wild card that is a recovering Sebastien Haller, and there is quality there, although not to the same degree as Real’s wealth.
Advantage: Real Madrid.
Midfield
Now in the middle and if we assume that Bellingham will play further forward and taking into account that Aurelien Tchouameni is already in doubt due to injury, Real’s main elements are the evergreen Toni Kroos, the versatile Fede Valverde, the utility Eduardo Camavinga and the cunning veteran Luka Modric. Even with limited manpower, Los Blancos’ ability to remodel and the technical brilliance of most – if not all – of these names will make life very difficult for Dortmund. But the Germans have some excellence of their own, with Julian Brandt in one of the best and most consistent forms of his career, the duo of Emre Can and Marcel Sabitzer, as well as the departure of Marco Reus, who can still play further forward when asked. BVB are nothing in between, but it’s difficult to compare with Real’s impressive depth of quality.
Advantage: Real Madrid.
Defense
Now here’s where things get interesting as Real – technically – are starting to get some key faces back at the back, which is a huge boon for the Spanish champions as they haven’t been as convincing at keeping goals in as they have. marked. . Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Ferland Mendy and Eder Militão are all big names with plenty of experience, but Militão is still returning to form and is not guaranteed to start, while Tchouameni has often been called upon to reinforce the defense but is now injured . They may not be as flashy, but the presence of veteran and semi-final hero Mats Hummels is arguably in the best form of any defender in Europe at the moment, which gives Nico Schlotterbeck huge confidence alongside him, with Julian Ryerson and Ian Maatsen the wide options established. The Germans have consistency on their side and will be a tough nut to crack, as the semi-finals against PSG showed.
Advantage: Borussia Dortmund.
Goalkeeper
Depending on the coming weeks, Real’s Andriy Lunin could be very unlucky and see his impressive season undone by the return of Thibaut Courtois from a long-term injury. If fully fit, there is no doubt that the Belgium international could make a difference between the sticks, as he did against Liverpool a few years ago, but that is a big problem given how long he has been out of action. Lunin has been a more than adequate replacement and has outperformed the loanee Kepa, but Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel is playing like a man possessed and will be desperate to carry his knockout stage form into the final, which would be a huge advantage for the Germans.
Advantage: Borussia Dortmund.
Head coach
Unfortunately for Edin Terzic and with all due respect after a sensational run to the final, he is facing probably the best tactician this competition has ever seen. Carlo Ancelotti is a serial winner with four titles to his name and an opportunity to seal a fifth place in history here. Terzic, 41, will have scored a huge coup if he can engineer another astute defensive display to outshine Real and Ancelotti, but the Spanish juggernaut should hold the potentially decisive trump card here.
Advantage: Real Madrid.
