UCL: Final preview
It has been another dramatic season in the Champions League.
In the final, Real Madrid faces Borussia Dortmund. Which side will come out on top?
How did Real Madrid reach the final?
The recently crowned Spanish champions snatched an incredible semi-final victory, scoring late goals to beat Bayern Munich and set up this Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
UCL: Real Madrid progress after astonishing drama (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
In a previous round, Madrid had knocked Manchester City out on penalties. They beat City in a dramatic quarter-final at the Etihad Stadium, ending the 2023 winners' hold on the Champions League.
After Antonio Rudiger's penalty secured the victory for Real Madrid, City's players slumped in despair, while what seemed like dozens of Real players and officials headed off to their supporters tucked in the far corner of Etihad Stadium.
After this match, Francis, a Real Madrid fan, told us: "I am so happy that we progressed against Manchester City. We displayed a lot of resilience against City especially after it became 1-1."
UCL: Manchester City lose on penalties (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Jude celebrating with Real Madrid fans last night. Iconic 🤍
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2024
(via ahbin_4/X) pic.twitter.com/5jwwlkxE72
The first leg between the sides was also a classic. UCL: Madrid and City play out a classic (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
How did Borussia Dortmund reach Wembley?
Borussia Dortmund produced a sensational away performance to beat Paris St-Germain and reach their first Champions League final in over a decade. They held a 1-0 advantage following the first leg of the semi-final and doubled this lead when Mats Hummels headed in from Julian Brandt's left-wing corner.
You can read more about this iconic moment for Dortmund by checking out the match report. UCL: Dortmund reach Champions League final (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Earlier in the competition, they made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in three years, thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus against PSV Eindhoven. UCL: Dortmund progress and will face Atletico Madrid in next round (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
The German side are strong at the back.
Dortmund avoided conceding a goal in two games against the often prolific Paris Saint-Germain attack in the semi-finals. Behind their success was an incredibly reliable goalkeeper in Gregor Kobel, two centre-backs who have been in top form recently. In addition, there was the quality of Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck, and an aggressive team defence that starts with striker Niclas Füllkrug up front. If their rearguard action works again, it could be difficult for Real Madrid.
Who goes in goal for the Spanish champions?
The key conundrum for Madrid is, unquestionably, in goal. Andriy Lunin has been the unsung hero of this campaign. He was superb against Leipzig in both legs. He was then defiant against Manchester City, and was also crucial against Bayern Munich. Thibaut Courtois, as long as he's fit, deserves to start because of hierarchy.
Carlo Ancelotti believes the Belgian is the world's top No. 1. However, having been out for 95% of the season, is there a danger that starting someone who was Player of the Match in Madrid's last Champions League final might be a risk? Good luck with the decision, Carlo Ancelotti.
Can Dortmund handle the pressure?
Last season, Dortmund's campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion as they missed out on the Bundesliga title on the final day of the season. It remains to be seen if their players can handle this level of pressure. Will that experience actually help them? Germany: Bayern win Bundesliga in dramatic season end (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Borussia Dortmund fan-turned-head coach Edin Terzic in tears as the Südtribüne chants his name after losing the title.
— Felix Tamsut (@ftamsut) May 27, 2023
The chant afterwards: “If you win and stand top, or if you lose and stand at the bottom, we’ll still sing: Borussia, BVB!”
Powerful.pic.twitter.com/Lc3F61gIdg
The returning Jadon Sancho has since added an extra layer of quality to their attack. Will he be able to perform on the biggest stage on his return to England?
A closer look at Real Madrid's midfield.
There has been recent news that has been greeted with an outpouring of appreciation across the football community – Toni Kroos' decision to retire after UEFA EURO 2024. Will that, in any way, affect his mentality? Might the experience of saying goodbye to ten fabulous years with Madrid in a Champions League final be overwhelming? You would hope not.
You also have to look at the unrivalled star of Madrid's season, Jude Bellingham. How much of an impact will he have against his former club?
Transfer News: Jude Bellingham signs for Real Madrid (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Which Dortmund players can cause problems for Real Madrid?
It is no secret that Dortmund's wingers Jadon Sancho and Karim Adeyemi are fundamental weapons in their offence. If Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy can get to grips with the Black and Yellows' pacy players, they will take a lot of the punch out of Dortmund's attacking play. If not, these two have already proved in the competition this season how much of a handful they can be.
With only three goals in 12 games, Füllkrug is BVB's top scorer in the current Champions League season. Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior, Joselu, and Bellingham have all scored more. The question is, will Dortmund be able to find a solution in front of goal without a classic talisman up front when things get tight? Dortmund has had twelve different scorers in the competition this season to Madrid's eight, so perhaps a widespread goal threat will work to their advantage.
