Borussia Dortmund continue their search for a second Champions League trophy on Saturday night when they take on the greatest side in the history of the competition, Real Madrid, at 9 PM.
The match will also be of massive sentimental significance as both sides bid farewell to their German legends, Marco Reus and Toni Kroos, who will be playing their final match for their respective clubs.
It is still unclear if Dortmund’s Reus will be retiring or joining another team at the end of the season, while Real’s Toni Kroos has announced his plans to retire from professional football altogether after the 2024 Euro games, which commence next month.
Champions League | Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid | 1 June | 21:00
Borussia Dortmund have surprised many by going on another epic run in the Champions League, reaching the final after making it out of this season’s “group of death” where they were drawn alongside Newcastle United, PSG, and AC Milan. They managed to top the group, losing only once and conceding just 4 goals.
They then progressed to the knockout stages with impressive wins, knocking out Atletico Madrid and PSG along the way to set up the perfect final match for Marco Reus. Reus, who has been one of the greatest and most loyal players for Dortmund, rejoined the club in 2012 after failing to go straight to the first team from the academy.
He then spent the next 12 years with his boyhood club, resisting all temptation to leave, and building a reputation as one of the world’s most loyal footballers. A Champions League triumph would be the most fitting way to bid farewell to such a legend.
Boosted Odds: Dortmund to Lift the Trophy, Jadon Sancho to Score or Assist & Niclas Fulkrug to Score or Assist | Was 10.00 | Now 11.00
Frederico Valverde to Score from Outside the Box | Was 13.00 | Now 15.00
This will require yet another big performance from Dortmund, perhaps even their biggest yet, as they have struggled for consistency in the league despite their Champions League success.
Sentiments aside, Real Madrid are the last side that any team would want to face in the Champions League final. Los Blancos are ruthless at this stage of the competition, having reached the final 17 times and only lost 3 times.
The Spanish giants have not lost a Champions League final in 43 years, winning all 8 finals that they’ve played in since. This makes it very difficult to see Carlo Ancelotti’s side losing this tie, as they have been dominant domestically as well, winning La Liga with a few matches to spare.
Wembley Stadium 🥇🏆#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/6f9ivYIBvt
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2024
Real have used the matches since their La Liga win constructively, trying new combinations and tactics, which seems to have done wonders as they carried on dominating. Some new names, like Arda Guler, have started grabbing headlines. The youngster has been in amazing goal-scoring form for Madrid, making things interesting ahead of the final. The usual suspects, Jude Bellingham, Vini Jr and Rodrygo will be expected to make an impact but Dortmund has a few players that could trouble Madrid’s defense too.
Prediction: Real Madrid straight win @ 1.62 | I’d also give a look at less than 2.5 total goals scored.
