Champions League Final: Dortmund's Grit Vs Madrid's Glory

The Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium is poised to be an engaging match. Dortmund, who were not expected to reach this stage, have defied expectations with victories against PSG and Atletico Madrid. They will need to overcome their previous disappointment against Bayern Munich in the final eleven years ago.

Real Madrid, a regular in the final, has fought from behind to become favourites for their 15th European crown. Jude Bellingham, who transferred from Dortmund to Madrid, has been a standout player this season and could have a decisive impact on the game. The final will also mark the last game for Marco Reus and Toni Kroos, two iconic figures in German football.

Reus has shown impressive performances against Real Madrid in the past and could be a key player in the final. According to the Opta supercomputer, Real Madrid enters the match as favourites with a 55.6% chance of victory within 90 minutes. Dortmund has a 21.4% chance of winning in regulation time, with 23% of simulations predicting extra time or penalties.

Madrid boasts a rich history in the Champions League, with 14 previous victories in 17 appearances in the final. Dortmund, on the other hand, has made it to the final only twice before. Both teams have performed well in terms of goals this season, with Madrid scoring 26 goals and Dortmund 17.

Dortmund has been somewhat fortunate defensively, with an average of 1.9 expected goals against per game. Madrid has conceded 15 goals from 15.6 expected goals. Jadon Sancho, initially exiled from the Manchester United squad, has been impressive for Dortmund and could play a crucial role in the final.

Mats Hummels will be essential for Dortmund's defence, while Jude Bellingham will be a player to watch for Madrid given his impactful performances this season. Real Madrid has shown control in their matches and has a history of comebacks, trailing for only 7.5% of their total game time in the Champions League this season.

Previous Encounters

In their previous meetings, Madrid has dominated Dortmund, but Dortmund did defeat Madrid on their journey to the 2013 Champions League final. The upcoming match promises to be engaging and emotional, with Madrid as favourites but Dortmund capable of causing an upset.

Statistical Overview

The final is set to be an engaging contest between two teams with different histories but similar ambitions. While Real Madrid's experience makes them favourites, Borussia Dortmund's journey so far suggests they should not be underestimated.