Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid will kick off a massive month of football at Wembley Stadium on June 1st. Before all of the international action, The Champions League takes centre stage in London as underdogs Dortmund look to dethrone 14-time winners, Real. Dortmund have been this season’s surprise package, escaping a tough group before seeing off the likes of Atlético de Madrid and PSG to reach the final. Los Blancos, on the other hand, swept aside giants Bayern Munich and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, earning their chance to play for a 15th Champions League title.
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Continue reading as we break down this weekend’s huge fixture by letting you know how we think the teams will approach the game and what the outcome will be.
Borussia Dortmund Vs Real Madrid
Saturday 1st June 8:00pm
Wembley Stadium, London, UK
Live on TNT Sports
Despite their incredibly tough route to the final, Edin Terzić’s Dortmund team have shown all of world football what they’re capable of. After winning a group which contained PSG, AC Milan and Newcastle they went on to dispatch PSV Eindhoven and Atlético, before a successful rematch PSG. Their effective blend of experience and youth has given them an edge in Europe this season with veterans keeping cool heads to see out games and spark being provided by exciting young prospects.
Their progression to the final will come as a surprise to everyone aside from the Dortmund board who have trusted Terzić from the start. The German’s possession-based style could cause problems for Real as their tendency to draw the opposition press, countered with quick passing from their collaborative midfield and defensive lines, allows them to work the ball to powerful striker Niclas Füllkrug and their dynamic wingers.
However, when faced with more aggressive opposition (as Real are likely to be), Dortmund have shown they can thrive without the ball, averaging less than 50% possession in this year’s Champions League – which may pose problems not yet faced by Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the tournament. Drawing in a dominant opposition allows them to overload in midfield, contributing to their chance creation by allowing the ball to be played more directly to attacking players such as Füllkrug, who may even drop in to allow Jadon Sancho and Karim Adeyemi space in behind. The wingers are where Dortmund display their creativity, boasting the second-most completed 1v1’s in this year’s Bundesliga.
Los Blancos have had a dominant season domestically, winning the league by eight points and only losing one game in the process. Managed by the experienced Italian Ancelotti, this talented crop of players are living up to their limitless potential. Real are unbeaten in all 12 games they’ve played in the Champions League this season and achieved a maximum 18-point haul in their group. Their run to the final consisted of RB Leipzig, Manchester City and then Bayern Munich in a tense semi-final. In typical Real Madrid fashion they came back from the dead with loanee striker Joselu scoring twice in three minutes to secure Los Blancos a place in the final.
Throughout the competition Real have remained compact and organised defensively utilising a 4-4-2 low block to keep teams out before transitioning to an attacking 3-5-2 with a midfielder sacrificing attacking duties to allow the fullbacks to support their offensive efforts. An edge they will have over Dortmund is a familiarity playing against teams who accept their role on the back foot and invite Real to break them down.
This has happened multiple times in Europe as well as almost weekly in La Liga and Ancelotti will relish the opportunity to show the German side how Madrid can impose their will on games. The middle of the park will be crucial for Madrid, their midfield talent being a feature element of their direct attacking style. Versatile playmakers like Toni Kroos and Aurélien Tchouaméni are utilised to feed the ball into attacking areas quickly and effectively, to be converted by their wealth of attacking talent. Most notably, the young duo of Englishman Jude Bellingham and Brazilian Vinícius Júnior. The pair have 19 and 15 league goals respectively this season.
The last five meetings between the pair have resulted in two wins for Real, one win for Dortmund and two draws. So neither side will have a significant head to head edge going into this weekend.
Borussia Dortmund Vs Real Madrid Odds
Real are the firm favourites heading into the final, opening with odds of 1.63 to lift the trophy. Whereas Dortmund sit at 5.20 to say goodbye to club legend Marco Reus with an upset win.
Borussia Dortmund Vs Real Madrid Betting Tips
*Odds are correct at time of publication and subject to change.
A Vin In The Game
A 15-goal La Liga season is something of a subdued campaign for Vinícius Júnior, such are the expectations of the Brazilian phenomenon. Alongside Los Blancos’ other attacking elements he is undoubtedly one of the most effective offensive players in Europe. An expert in unlocking defences and creating opportunities, the youngster could have a significant say on which way the final goes. Vini Jr to score anytime, Real to win and the match to contain over 2.5 goals is at 3.50.
The Full English
The Champions League final will feature two of England’s brightest talents in Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. Neither have won Europe’s top prize previously and will be aiming to make it the first of many. Bellingham has 19 goals for Real this season and has been a key component in their success. England fans will be hoping he can carry this form into Euro 2024 this summer. While Dortmund’s Sancho is enjoying a fruitful loan spell away from Manchester United, one which he’ll hope can be made permanent in the summer. He’s been left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad and will be looking to prove his critics wrong this weekend. Bellingham is 2.48 to score anytime and 5.40 to be the games first scorer. Sancho is 6.80 to get on the scoresheet for Dortmund, with 15.00 being the odds if he scores first.
Fairytale Ending
Most neutral spectators for this game would love to see an upset for the ages. Departing fan favourite Marco Reus scoring the winner after spending 12 years at his boyhood club would give us one of the best storylines the Champions League has ever seen. Reus to score and Dortmund to win the Champions League is at 31.2.
Borussia Dortmund Team News
Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1) Kobel, Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; E.Can, Sabitzer; Adeyemi, Brandt, Sancho; Füllkrug.
Injuries: Haller (Ankle), Morey (Fitness), Duranville (Muscle Injury), Bensebaini (MCL)
Real Madrid Team News
Predicted Line-Up (4-3-3) Courtois, Carvajal, Nacho, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius Jr.
Injuries: Tchouaméni (Foot), Alaba (ACL).
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