BVB vs. Real Madrid: A weakness makes the Spaniards vulnerable

One statistic should worry Borussia Dortmund before the Champions League final against Real Madrid: Since the European Cup was renamed the Champions League in the 1992/93 season, the Spanish club has been in the final eight times – and won eight times. That is an impressive record that shows that Real Madrid dominates the world’s biggest club competition like no other club. In total, they have lifted the European crown 14 times since the 1954/55 season, when the European Cup was first held – more often than any other team.

Borussia Dortmund has at least one title to its name. Under coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, the Black and Yellows won the trophy in 1997. In 2013, they reached the final for a second time. There, they famously lost to FC Bayern Munich. Now BVB has a third chance to become the best club in Europe. But how big is the chance and what are Real’s weaknesses? A comparison of the teams.

Real Madrid and BVB in numbers

Trainer

It is a duel of the generations. Edin Terzic, 41 years old, has only been head coach at BVB for two and a half years, with one interruption. In that sense, he is almost a beginner, because Dortmund is also his first professional station. In December 2020, he took over from Lucien Favre and won the DFB Cup that season. He then stepped down to take over again for the 2022/23 season. Last season he was runner-up, this time he led BVB into the Champions League final as an outsider.

His counterpart Carlo Ancelotti, 64 years old, has been head coach for 29 years and in that time has become the most successful coach in the world. He has won four Champions League titles (two with AC Milan, two with Real Madrid) and has been champion in the four biggest leagues (Spain, England, Germany, Italy). His trademarks are chewing gum and his raised right eyebrow.

tactics

The problem for BVB coach Edin Terzic is that his counterpart Carlo Ancelotti lets his team play very variably. Real’s basic formation is a 4-4-2 system. But that says nothing about whether the Spaniards play with a diamond in midfield or with two sixes. And it says nothing about how often Real presses aggressively or rather drops back. Pressing is not one of the Spanish champions’ specialties. Ancelotti has been playing it more often recently. It offers BVB the opportunity for quick counterattacks if they manage to overcome the pressing chain, either playfully or with a long ball to the front. With the fast wingers Karim Adeyemi (Donyell Malen) or Jadon Sancho, BVB has a real weapon. Ancelotti gives his team a lot of freedom in attack. Here, players like Jude Bellingham or Vinicius Jr. like to try to lure the center backs out of the chain, creating space for passes into the depth. Real did this in an exemplary manner in the semi-final against Bayern with Min-Jae Kim, who ran after Vinicius Jr. into midfield and opened up space for Toni Kroos’ pass.

For BVB, who are playing with a 4-3-3 formation, defensive work will be particularly important. The wingers have to work hard, as Karim Adeyemi recently did in exemplary fashion. With him, the back four becomes a back five. Dortmund’s offensive players have to help out, ideally doubling up on Real’s attackers. If Dortmund press themselves, the formation usually becomes a 4-1-4-1, as in the quarter and semi-finals, in order to close down the center in particular. It is important that the defense is secure. If Real overcomes Dortmund’s pressing, they have plenty of space for quick attacks. That could put the slow Mats Hummel in trouble. Offensively, Edin Terzic’s team has shown that they are confident in combining, even when Real are playing deep. With Jadon Sancho, Adeyemi and Julian Brandt, the team has technically skilled and fast players who are able to outwit a Real defense around Antonio Rüdiger. Quick transitions are also a means (see above).

Lineups

In terms of market value, the two teams are worlds apart. But there is good news for BVB: Aurélien Tchouaméni will not be available to Real. This means that the defensive midfield lacks a lot of punch. The French international is one of the best number sixes in the world. The goalkeeper position at Real is also open. Regular goalkeeper Thibaut Cortois recently returned after an injury break of almost a year, but was substituted once. It is difficult to say whether he is really fit and able to play in a Champions League final. Andriy Lunin stood in goal for him and did a great job. The Ukrainian is suffering from an infection, however, and will at most travel to the team and perhaps sit on the bench. That could be Kepa’s chance. David Alaba is back in the squad after tearing his cruciate ligament, which kept him out of action for half a year, but he will probably not play. Otherwise, all players are available to Ancelotti. Key players are Rüdiger, Kroos, Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior.

Real Madrid: Courtois – Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy – Camavinga, Valverde, Kroos, Bellingham – Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo.

At BVB, Terzic has all players at his disposal except for Ramy Bensebaini and Julien Duranville. His key players are goalkeeper Kobel, Hummels, Brandt, Sancho and, to a lesser extent, Füllkrug. The ex-Bremer plays a central role in the offense as a striker and ball-holding agent.

BVB: Kobel – Maatsen, Schlotterbeck, Hummels, Ryerson – Can – Brandt, Sabitzer – Adeyemi, Sancho, Füllkrug

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