An era ends in the Champions League as the final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid will be the last match before the competition takes on a controversial new format with an extended group stage from next season.
The two clubs have already secured their place for next season’s competition and will now be looking to conclude this season by winning the most prestigious European competition on the hallowed turf of Wembley.
Dortmund are in search of their first trophy since 2021, while Real are hoping to make it their third of the season with the Supercopa de España and La Liga already in the bag. For the Black and Yellows, fifth place in the Bundesliga, their worst since seventh in 2014/15, means that this Champions League campaign has somewhat saved the season. However, the two weeks’ break between the 4-0 win against Darmstadt and this final suggests that there could be a real buzz in London.
Dortmund’s players will need to switch to “big game” mode as they managed to do in the semi-final against PSG. And even if they have not won their last four matches against the Merengues (2d, 2d), their last success against Madrid was a Champions League knockout stage match with a 2-0 home win in 2013/14. They must now focus on the club’s seventh European final and improve their record of just two wins: the last of which came 27 years ago, in 1997 against Juventus.
The contrast is stark with Real’s dominance once the club reaches the Champions League final. They have won their eight Champions League finals (under this name), including one against a German opponent (vs Leverkusen in 2002). Another positive point before this almost habitual new final for Real and Carlo Ancelotti is the six-match unbeaten run against three German teams in this European campaign (4w, 2d).
He expects his squad to “suffer and fight” to win and extend the Champions League record to 15 titles. Ancelotti is perfectly placed to do so judging by his positive record against Dortmund on the bench (7w, 6d). On another note, former Bayern player Toni Kroos is preparing for his last match in a Madrid shirt with the aim of equaling club legend Paco Gento by also winning a sixth European Cup/Champions League title.
Players to watch: Niclas Füllkrug has scored in two of Dortmund’s last three Champions League matches. Five of his last seven club goals have come after the 70th minute. Vinícius Júnior has already scored against two German clubs this season (Bayern and Leipzig). Three of his four Champions League goals this season were Madrid’s first in the matches.
Current streak: The last four Champions League finals have been decided by a single goal scored between the 40th and 70th minutes.
Probable Lineups
Borussia Dortmund : Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Fullkrug
Real Madrid : Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
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