Champions League final: Five battles Dortmund must win to beat Real Madrid

The stage is set for the most anticipated match of the season - the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final, which sees European heavyweights Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid lock horns at Wembley on Saturday.

Both teams have had remarkable journeys to reach this point, showcasing resilience, tactical prowess and moments of sheer brilliance along the way.

For Dortmund, this final is a chance to etch their name in history once again, as they look to claim their first Champions League title since 1997.

Under the astute guidance of their manager Edin Terzic, the team has blended youthful exuberance with seasoned experience, making them a formidable opponent.

On the other hand, Real Madrid, the record 14-time champions, are no strangers to the grand stage.

With a squad brimming with world-class talent and a legacy of European dominance, they aim to add yet another trophy to their illustrious collection - and with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm for Madrid, Dortmund face a monumental task to overpower the Spanish giants.

As the football world turns its eyes to Wembley, the outcome of this thrilling encounter will hinge on several key individual battles across the pitch.

From midfield maestros to defensive stalwarts, these duels will be crucial in determining which side lifts the coveted trophy in London.

Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo looks at the five key individual battles Dortmund must win to beat Real Madrid.

Vinícius Júnior vs Julian Ryerson

Vinícius Júnior, one of the world's most dominant wingers, has been a standout in the Champions League this season. With five goals and four assists, he boasts an impressive record of nine goal involvements in nine matches.

In Real Madrid's semi-final clash against Bayern Munich, Vinícius was instrumental. In the first leg, he completed 100% of his dribbles, achieved a 79% pass accuracy, and a 75% shot accuracy, scoring both of Madrid’s goals, including a crucial 83rd-minute equaliser.

His performance in the second leg was equally dominant, completing seven dribbles - the same number as the entire Munich team - alongside 20 successful passes, nine duels won, and providing a decisive assist that led to Madrid's late winner.

These stellar performances earned him the man-of-the-match award in both legs, highlighting his significance to the team despite being just 23 years old.

Facing him is Dortmund's right-back, Julian Ryerson, a player highly regarded by his fans as the most underrated in their squad.

Known for his reliability and work ethic, Ryerson possesses elite mentality and composure, traits not easily quantified by statistics.

Some fans even consider him the best right-back at Dortmund since club legend Lukasz Piszczek.

Ryerson's strong dribbling and technical skills have contributed to four goals and one assist in 20 Bundesliga games this season.

Defensively, he averages an impressive 2.7 tackles per game in the Champions League. He will need every bit of this defensive prowess to contain the formidable Vinícius Júnior in this crucial match-up.

Jude Bellingham vs Dortmund defence

Jude Bellingham, England's golden boy, has just picked up the La Liga Player of the Season award in his first year with Real Madrid.

After the departure of Karim Benzema, many Madrid fans were concerned about the club’s attacking prospects.

However, Bellingham has exceeded expectations by stepping into Benzema’s role, seamlessly occupying the spaces between the lines and challenging defenders to mark him.

Bellingham finished third in La Liga’s scoring charts with 19 goals and six assists, and he has also been impressive in the Champions League, contributing four goals and four assists in 10 matches.

Many are already calling for the Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, especially if Madrid clinch the Champions League and England perform well at the Euros this summer.

Bellingham's precision and composure in front of goal have been remarkable, but he faces a formidable challenge against Dortmund’s defence.

The experienced Mats Hummels and the versatile Nico Schlotterbeck form a strong partnership at the back.

Schlotterbeck excels as a ball-playing centre-back with a keen sense of positioning, while Hummels brings strength, tactical acumen and a wealth of experience.

This duo have been instrumental in Dortmund’s defensive solidity, helping goalkeeper Gregor Kobel achieve the most clean sheets in this season’s Champions League.

Hummels, in particular, has been outstanding, notably in the second leg against PSG. He not only kept Kylian Mbappe quiet but also scored the decisive goal to secure Dortmund’s place in the final.

At 35, Hummels proved he remains one of the best defenders in the world, leading the match with the most clearances, duels won, tackles, interceptions, and, crucially, the winning goal.

Bellingham will have to be at his best to overcome this resilient Dortmund defence, which comes into the final on the back of consecutive clean sheets against one of the world’s most potent attacks.

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Toni Kroos vs Marcel Sabitzer

Toni Kroos, a legend of the game, aims to cap his illustrious career by lifting his sixth Champions League title.

Having won once with Bayern Munich and four times with Real Madrid, Kroos is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

At 34, he remains the epitome of a balanced midfielder, showcasing an exceptional range of passing, technical ball control, and the ability to progress the ball through dribbling and incisive forward passes.

His influence is so profound that Madrid's midfield dominance is often referred to as being in “Kroos Control”.

In the second leg of the semi-final against Bayern Munich, the deep-lying playmaker demonstrated his enduring quality with the most touches, completed passes, long passes, and chances created, proving he is still performing at an elite level.

Enter Marcel Sabitzer, who faces the daunting task of disrupting Madrid's midfield maestro. Sabitzer, another player having revived his career at Dortmund after a challenging stint at Manchester United, is a versatile and well-rounded midfielder.

Known for his effectiveness in various positions, Sabitzer has become integral to Dortmund's attacking play.

His standout performance in the quarter-finals, where he scored the decisive goal in a thrilling 5-4 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid, was crucial in propelling Dortmund to the final.

In that match, Sabitzer was the focal point, completing 100% of his dribbles, making 17 passes, two interceptions, two assists, and scoring the winning goal, earning him the man-of-the-match award.

For Dortmund to have any chance of beating Real Madrid, Sabitzer will need to be at his best, effectively neutralising Kroos and disrupting Madrid's rhythm.

It will be a key battle that could determine the outcome of the Champions League final, as Sabitzer aims to spoil the party in Kroos' final club football match.

Ian Maatsen vs Rodrygo

Often overshadowed by Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo has emerged as a crucial player for Real Madrid. The right winger has stepped out of his compatriot’s shadow and made a significant impact with his speed, agility and sharp attacking instincts.

This season, the 23-year-old has been pivotal, creating scoring opportunities for both himself and his team-mates with his explosive runs.

Rodrygo's contributions have placed him among the top goal scorers in this Champions League campaign, with five crucial goals, including key strikes in both legs of the quarter-finals against Manchester City.

Remarkably, he has scored 20 Champions League goals before turning 24, surpassing the likes fellow Brazilian Neymar Jr. (17) and all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo (15) were able to do at the same age.

Facing Rodrygo is Ian Maatsen, a breakout star at left-back for Dortmund this season. After experiencing relegation with Burnley last year, Maatsen now finds himself on the grandest stage in football, the Champions League final.

The Chelsea loanee has impressed fans and pundits alike, with many Blues fans calling for Enzo Maresca, widely expected to take the managerial reins at Stamford Bridge, to prioritise retaining him this summer.

Maatsen's attacking prowess is notable, with his intelligent runs and tireless work ethic earning him two goals and two assists in just 16 Bundesliga games, plus a goal in the Champions League.

Defensively, he has been outstanding, averaging 1.7 tackles and 3.3 clearances per game in the Champions League.

His defensive skills were on full display against Paris Saint-Germain, where he effectively neutralised the threat of the skilful Ousmane Dembélé.

Maatsen will aim to replicate this success by keeping Rodrygo in check.

Jadon Sancho vs Ferland Mendy

Dortmund’s right flank will be led by Jadon Sancho, a player who has not only rejuvenated his season but potentially his career.

A few months ago, Sancho was excluded from the Manchester United squad after a fallout with Erik ten Hag. Now, he’s starting in a Champions League final for the team where he first burst onto the scene.

Known for his dribbling, vision, passing ability and hold-up play, Sancho reminded everyone of his talent with a stunning performance in the semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain.

In the first leg, he was awarded man of the match with incredible statistics: 99 touches, 51 completed passes, three key passes, and an astounding 12 completed dribbles – the most he has ever managed in a single game and the highest by any player in this season’s Champions League.

Sancho will look to replicate this form in the final, but he faces a formidable challenge in Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy.

Since Marcelo's departure, Mendy has firmly locked down the left-back position. Unlike many modern full-backs who excel offensively, Mendy stands out for his defensive capabilities.

Despite not registering any goals or assists in La Liga or the Champions League, his defensive contributions are invaluable.

Mendy’s impressive interceptions, tackles and clearances make him a fortress at the back, crucial in maintaining Madrid’s defensive solidity.

To give Dortmund a fighting chance, Sancho must deliver another standout performance like he did against PSG.

Breaking down Mendy’s resolute defence will be key, making this one of the critical battles to watch on the night.

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