Real Madrid have another date with destiny tomorrow as they face Borussia Dortmund in the final of the UEFA Champions League. It goes without saying that this game will be the most important of the season for both sides, and neither of the two teams will be looking forward to going back home from London without the most coveted trophy in Europe after having reached the final.
For the Merengues, winning this final will add another UCL trophy to their already illustrious cabinet, and this can be their 15th European Cup.
In addition to adding another trophy to their cabinet and extending their already massive lead over other European sides, winning this match will also allow Los Blancos to complete a UCL campaign without a defeat for the first time in their history.
On the other hand, it was 1996-97 when the German club last won a Champions League title, which is to date their only one, after defeating Juventus in the final.
They again reached the final in 2012-13, but fell to their German rivals, Bayern Munich, at the same stadium where they are set to play this upcoming final against Real Madrid, i.e., Wembley Stadium.
Naturally, Dortmund will be looking to ensure that history is not repeated at Wembley Stadium this time, but they have a very difficult task of playing against Real Madrid, a team that is not only superior to them on paper, but one which comes up best in the Champions League, and has not lost a UCL final in the last 43 years.
Edin Terzic’s task of getting the better of the Merengues will be further complicated by the unavailability of key players like Ramy Bensebaini and Julien Duranville. Additionally, Sebastien Haller’s participation in the match is also doubtful.
However, Real Madrid are also not entirely without their own injury problems, as one of their key midfielders, Aurelien Tchouameni is also ruled out for this game. David Alaba is also still recovering from his ACL tear and will miss this match, even though Los Blancos have named both of these players in the squad for the final.
But even without these players, Real Madrid are definitely the more in-form of these two teams, as they recently celebrated their La Liga triumph, and have not been defeated in a match since losing to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey back in January. Since that game, the Merengues are on a 25-game winning streak.
Dortmund, on the other hand, have been quite inconsistent this season, and have finished 5th in the Bundesliga. Still, they will be competing for the UCL next season because of Germany’s qualifying co-efficient.
The history of this tie also favors the Spaniards, as in the 14 previous matches between these two teams, the Whites have won 5, Dortmund 3, while the rest of the 6 games ended in a draw.
But keeping in view the prize at stake for winning this game, both teams will give their all. Thus, despite being the favorites, Real Madrid will have to be at their best in this game to add another glorious chapter to their history in the tournament and give a legend like Toni Kroos a worthy parting present.
