Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid will face off in the most prestigious match in European Club Football at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night (Sunday morning AUS time) when they meet in the UEFA Champions League Final.
The German side has been the surprise packet of the competition this year in the eyes of many, coming through the toughest group before seeing off PSV, Atletico Madrid, and PSG to make the final.
Performances boggled the mind considering their inconsistent form in the Bundesliga.
Their opponents Madrid emerged through the group stage with maximum points and came through stern tests through the knockout stages. Eventually, they saw off Leipzig, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich to reach their 18th UEFA Champions League Final.
This is Dortmund’s first Champions League final in over 10 years, returning to the scene of their 2-1 defeat in the 2013 final to Bayern Munich.
But the one-time champions face a daunting task, as their opponents Real Madrid chase a staggering 15th UCL title.
Madrid is unbeaten in 12 matches this competition and this year marks the first time they have reached the final without dropping a game in a European Cup or Champions League Final. Dortmund though is hot on their heels, only dropping the one game in their last 11 European outings and have kept clean sheets in six of those games.
Form Guide (path to the final):
Dortmund:
Group stage.
Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund 0-0 AC Milan
Newcastle United 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Newcastle United
AC Milan 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Last 16
PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 PSV Eindhoven
Quarter-final
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund 4-2 Borussia Dortmund
Semi-final
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid
Group stage.
Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin
Napoli 2-3 Real Madrid
Braga 1-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 3-0 Braga
Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli
Union Berlin 2-3 Real Madrid
Last 16
RB Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 1-1 RB Leipzig
Quarter-final.
Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (won 5-4 on penalties)
Semi-final
Bayern Munich 2-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund Key Players to Watch
Jaden Sancho: A shot at redemption at Wembley looms for the English ace.
It is also a chance to once again prove that his unhappy loan stint at Manchester United was a result of an unstable club rather than a personal failing.
Since returning to Dortmund, he has scored twice and made two assists in his 14 appearances, and he looks like a revitalized player.
Coming up against his countrymate Jude Bellingham adds some extra spice to the intriguing battle.
Mats Hummels: The defender has not missed a single minute of Champions League football this season. The last outfield player to do that? Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017/18 in Real Madrid’s title-winning season.
The 35-year-old is a dependable box defender and has not let his loss of pace and athleticism deter him from being one of the best in his position despite being in the twilight of his career.
He has a big job keeping the Madrid forwards in check but will be backed in well enough to do the job.
Gregor Kobel: There is no better stage to prove yourself as one of the sports rising young goalkeepers. While the Swiss international might not be a great ball player, he is an excellent shot-stopper.
Which could prove vital in these high-pressure finals. Especially if it goes right to the end.
Real Madrid Key Players to Watch
Jude Bellingham: The 20-year-old prodigy coming up against his former club in a Champions League Final?
That sentence enough should make you want to flick this game on to see this storyline play out among the bigger picture of the game.
Fresh off winning the La-Liga player of the year award in his first completed season for his new club, Bellingham is one of, if not the key protagonists on the pitch in this game.
He has scored 19 goals across all competitions in his first season at his new club. You would not find too many long odds of him finding the back of the net again here.
Vinicius Jr: Like Bellingham, Vinicius Jr is a potential Ballon d’Or candidate.
The 23-year-old Brazilian has risen to the occasion several times this season, with five goals and four assists in nine UCL games to show for it.
He will need to have the game of his life, especially if Julian Ryerson is Dortmund’s starting right-back on the team sheet.
Toni Kroos: He started his career with a Champions League title at Wembley. Now he has the opportunity to end his career with one too.
The 34-year-old will play his last game for Madrid before retiring from football at the end of the Euros in the summer.
With Aurelien Tchouameni ruled out, Kroos will be vital in dictating play through midfield against a team he is remarkably familiar with.
Champions League Final Prediction
Dortmund is going into the match as the clear underdogs. But just as they have done throughout their entire Champions League campaign, it gives them the best hope of springing a surprise against a much-fancied opponent.
The German side has had problems with teams sitting deep in the Bundesliga, and Madrid is unlikely going to want to limit themselves to solely defending in the final.
Madrid has made winning this trophy look easy, but just simply marking this one down because they made another final is far from accurate.
Their six matches against Bundesliga opponents this season have produced four single-goal wins and two draws. Each match was a hugely testing experience and they should expect this to be no different.
Still, Madrid has not lost a UEFA knockout final since 1983. Their will and know-how to win trophies are unrivaled.
Could Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal join Paco Gento and become six-time European Cup Winners?
Time will tell.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1.
UEFA Champions League Final Match Details:
Sunday, June 2nd, 5 am kickoff (AEST)
Wembley Stadium, London.
Where can I watch the UEFA Champions League Grand Final in Australia?
Stan Sports has the rights for the UEFA Champions League in Australia.