Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund and Spanish champions Actual Madrid will meet within the UEFA Champions League ultimate at Wembley Stadium on Saturday (June 1). Each groups have bested a few of the best European groups to achieve the showpiece occasion.
Journey So Far
Edin Tarzic’s Dortmund topped arguably the hardest group within the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League season — that includes Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), AC Milan, and Newcastle United — to arrange the Spherical-of-16 conflict with Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. They claimed a reasonably simple 3-1 combination win and moved to the quarter-finals, the place they confronted Diego Simeone’s gritty Atletico Madrid. Los Rojiblancos beat Dortmund 2-1 within the first leg however fell to a 4-2 defeat in Borussia Dortmund’s yard. Within the semi-finals, Dortmund overcame PSG as soon as extra, bagging a 2-0 combination victory.
Actual Madrid, alternatively, topped with their group in model, doing the double over Union Berlin, Napoli, and Braga. Within the Spherical of 16, Los Blancos secured a 2-1 combination win over RB Leipzig, organising a mouth-watering quarter-final with reigning champions Manchester Metropolis. The 2 groups have been tied at 4-4 on the finish of additional time within the second leg, resulting in a nail-biting penalty shootout. Madrid, due to their unwavering confidence, got here out on prime, securing a 4-3 shootout win.
Lastly, within the semi-finals, they crossed paths with acquainted foes Bayern Munich. After holding them to a 2-2 draw on the Allianz Area, Madrid beat them 2-1 on the Santiago Bernabeu.
Now, all of it boils all the way down to the showdown at Wembley Stadium, and it’s nearly inconceivable to foretell which means this one will go. But, beneath no duress, we’ll stick our neck out and make 5 daring predictions for the UEFA Champions League ultimate. Let’s start!
#5 Julian Brandt Will Create The Most Probabilities
The ultimate on Saturday will function a few of the most inventive gamers on the planet, however we consider, Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt will outshine all of them. The attacking midfielder is a wonderful passer, can slide into little pockets of house, and barely makes a mistake within the ultimate third. Within the 2023-24 Bundesliga season, Brandt accomplished 133 shot-creating actions. He additionally registered 74 progressive carries and performed 116 progressive passes. His initiative helped him snag seven objectives and 11 assists in 32 video games.
He has additionally confirmed his mettle within the UEFA Champions League this season, recording two objectives, two assists, 44 shot-creating actions, and three goal-creating actions in 11 outings.
#4 Vinicius Jr. Will Rating The First Objective
Arguably the very best winger on the planet, Vinicius Jr. has been having fun with his best-ever season in 2023-24. The Actual Madrid famous person has scored a formidable 23 occasions and claimed 11 assists in solely 38 matches, serving to his group to the La Liga title, the Supercopa de Espana trophy, and, in fact, to the ultimate of the UEFA Champions League.
Like Brandt, Vinicius additionally likes to take initiative. He all the time tries to take defenders on, go on a vertical cost, and make himself helpful within the ultimate third. His greatest efficiency of the season got here within the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg in opposition to Bayern Munich, the place he scored a brace to limit the Bavarians to a 2-2 draw.
His first purpose, which got here within the twenty fourth minute, confirmed the world his technical skill. The way in which he engineered house to permit Toni Kroos to play a defense-splitting through-ball was a factor of magnificence. Vinicius Jr. doesn’t want a second invitation to punish opponents, and we really feel Dortmund will really feel his wrath the primary time they fail to mark him.
#3 Thibaut Courtois Will Be The Busier Goalkeeper
Vinicius Jr. and Co. will definitely preserve Gregor Kobel on his toes, however we consider Actual Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois can have a busier evening.
With Eder Militao nonetheless discovering his toes and first-choice holding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni out with a foot damage, Los Blancos won’t be at their greatest in protection. This could permit Borussia Dortmund to be extra adventurous and take the combat to the 14-time European champions.
Courtois is superb at organizing his again line, however even then, we see him dashing into motion at the least 4 or 5 occasions over the course of the 90. Carlo Ancelotti will hope his goalkeeper has not misplaced his sharpness after spending 90% of the season on the remedy desk (ACL).
#2 Jude Bellingham Will Be The Man Of The Match
The UEFA Champions League ultimate might be an emotional occasion for Actual Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. Not solely will he play his first-ever Champions League ultimate, however he can even do it in opposition to his former membership Borussia Dortmund on the iconic Wembley Stadium — the England nationwide group’s official stomping floor. Bellingham will give all the things in his energy to ship the efficiency of his lifetime, and we’re backing him to succeed.
Bellingham has loved a sensational debut marketing campaign at Actual Madrid. Since his swap from Dortmund in July 2023, Bellingham has performed 41 video games throughout tournaments, bagging 23 objectives and 12 assists. The 20-year-old had a quiet semi-final by his lofty requirements, however we count on him to be again to his perfect for the ultimate recreation of the 2023-24 season.
#1 Actual Madrid Will Win The Recreation 2-1
Actual Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have completed beautifully to e book a spot within the UEFA Champions League ultimate. Each need to take the European crown residence, however, sadly, just one group can. After cautious consideration, we’ve got determined to provide the sting to Actual Madrid, due to their head-to-head file with Dortmund and unbelievable Champions League pedigree.
Madrid and Dortmund have crossed paths 14 occasions within the UEFA Champions League to this point. The Spaniards have received six occasions, the Germans thrice, and 5 video games have ended all sq.. Their final UEFA Champions League assembly got here round seven years in the past. Los Merengues did the double over Dortmund within the group stage of the 2017-18 season, beating them 3-1 and 3-2 respectively. Madrid are additionally unbeaten within the UCL finals because the match acquired a facelift in 1992, successful the competitors eight occasions.
Borussia Dortmund will do all the things of their energy to soil Actual Madrid’s 100% file, however we don’t count on them to achieve success. We predict the European giants will beat Die Borussen 2-1 at Wembley Stadium to say their record-extending fifteenth Champions League trophy.
