The wall of Dortmund against the line of Real Madrid: the face to face of the finalists of the Champions League

Everything is defined. The 2023-2024 Champions League final It already has its protagonists. Borussia Dortmund and real Madrid They will compete in one of the most engaging duels of the year, in search of the new European champion, succeeding Manchester City. On June 1, London’s iconic Wembley stadium will host a unique Champions League final, with an obvious contrast: a team that only has one title in Orejona, against the most successful European Cup winner.

After 22 years, a definition is again given between Germany and Spain. The last time was in 2002, when Madrid beat Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow, Scotland, with a Zinedine Zidane’s unforgettable goal . The match which will mark the end of the season on the Old Continent, before the Euro, promises a fight which It will be special for Jude Bellingham, one of the names of the White House, who came to Chamartín precisely from the BVB. Here is the face to face of the title contenders.

Champion in 1997, Borussia Dortmund returns to a final after their experience in 2013, when they lost to Bayern, precisely at Wembley, with Jürgen Klopp on the bench. With two defeats in 12 matches in the tournament, the yellow and black team achieved the brightest part of an irregular season in the Champions League. It is fifth in the Bundesliga, which is now 24 points behind the champion, Bayer Leverkusen.

Without having a big star on their roster, It is the collective strength and tactical work of coach Edin Terzic that stands out from the Germans, as well as the defensive strength that was on display in this edition. In fact, where he has the best stats is in items related to this, according to UEFA data. For example, Dortmund is first in duels (207), in ball recoveries (529) and in clean sheets (6).

After eliminating PSG, the coach said the details were key: “We held our own against an exceptional team and that makes us proud. And even, We also know that if we had played this game ten times, we probably wouldn’t have won it ten times. At this level, it’s the little things that make the difference, and we managed to have the little things on our side in these two matches.

From an individual point of view, the figure of Mats Hummels, reference of the institution and author of the winning goal in Paris. The German defender He is the leader in duels in the current Champions League (50) and also in recoveries (114). He is the only one to exceed the 100 mark. In this position, he is followed by his fellow defender Nico Schlotterbeck (77). For its part, Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made the most saves (42). In other words, the work of the rearguard is fundamental to explain Dortmund’s success.

Economically, the brand new finalist is a “responsible” casting, which bets on names focused on the future and then does business in astronomical figures. In case of Erling Haaland It’s obvious: acquired in Salzburg then sold to City. The team has a market value of 498 million US dollars. Their most expensive players are attacking midfielder Julian Brandt, striker Donyell Malen and goalkeeper Kobel: $43 million each.

The strength of contum. One more final for Real Madrid. The Hispanic team is aiming for its 15th European title, in a successful season that can culminate with the icing on the cake. Last weekend they were crowned champions of the Spanish league, following their victory over Cadiz and Barcelona’s defeat against Girona. In the Champions League, they are one game away from being undefeated monarchs. He still hasn’t fallen in 12 games.

“What has happened repeatedly, which is inexplicable, has happened again. A fan who pushes and players who believe. We played well, I think it was a difficult match, but we controlled the match well, we didn’t lose our heads when they scored against us and we got the match back,” said Carlo Ancelotti after the controversial victory against Bayern Munich.

Unlike the Germans, the White House is tilting the balance towards the offensive side, with enviable efficiency. They are the second best performing team in the tournament (26), surpassed only by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City (28). He is also the second most accurate in passing (91.2%), again seconding the Citizens. In this section, the presence of players like Toni Kroos contributes to a record like the one mentioned.

In each line, the Italian coach has striking elements. He has two Brazilian sprinters in attack, which allowed Madrid to not need a reference 9, if we add the contribution of Jude Bellingham. Rodrygo is the team’s top scorer in the Champions League, with 5 goals, and the one with the most shots on goal (19), while his teammate Vinícius Júnior is the best passer, also with 5. In goal, the long absence of Thibaut Courtois allowed Andriy Lunin to gain a place, and the Belgian is already available. The Ukrainian is the third goalkeeper to make the most saves in the tournament (38).

Even if it is not a “state team”, like PSG or City, the economic power of the store chaired by Florentino Pérez is undeniable. In this position there is a clear difference compared to Dortmund. The Madrid team is valued at no less than $1.117 million. The most expensive player is the Englishman Bellingham, the big name signed in the season which ends, with 193 million dollars.