On June 1, Borussia Dortmund will take on European goliaths Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Wembley.
It is no secret that Dortmund is going with the flow as underdogs Champions League Winner Odds a big preference for Los Blancos to prevail in this case.
However, this is not a foreign position for BVB as it was the favorite to crash out of the tournament in the quarter-final against Atletico Madrid and also in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Tactics
Tactically, Dortmund coach Edin Terzic has done well so far, but he will once again have to develop a clever plan to prevent the tournament's most successful club from clinching their 15th title.
As in the semi-finals, Terzic's side will not be looking to dominate possession and take the game to Carlo Ancelotti's men. It is more likely that they will sit in a compact shape, defend aggressively and counter-attack through quick transitions.
However, it is imperative that Real Madrid's attacks are disrupted from the source, and that is why they must develop a plan to prevent German maestro Toni Kroos, who has played a major role for his side this season, from controlling the game from the heart of midfield dictates.
To achieve this, it is likely that Dortmund's midfield trio of Julian Brandt, Emre Can and Marcel Sabitzer will play compactly and aggressively, setting traps for the opposition to play into midfield and win the ball back quickly.
Another puzzle they have to solve tonight is the attacking trio of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo, who have scored 63 goals between them this season.
To stop this attacking threat, full concentration is required to stay in defensive shape, with each man taking a shift, not giving players of such class the time and space to raise their heads.
But as important as tactics are in this match, the most important aspect of Dortmund's performance will have to be the fight and desire they show on the night. Without that, they are unlikely to have a chance of achieving victory. football opportunities.
Due to the quality they face, it is inevitable that they must dig deep as a unit to survive and each individual must remain focused from start to finish.
Main characters
German forward Niclas Fullkrug will be central to the match plan as his hold-up play and ability to secure possession and connect with teammates will be crucial in helping to relieve pressure on the backline.
The roles of Jadon Sancho and Karim Adeyemi will also be crucial, both defensively and offensively in the final, with them having to play a dual role defensively in the wing-back positions, while also playing a key role in possession as they transition into the final third.
At the heart of the defense, Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck will have to put in another top-class defensive performance, making the very last challenges and clearances and collecting the ball launched into the penalty area.
Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has been in phenomenal form for Dortmund this season, making key saves and will be called into his side again in this match as Madrid are unlikely to end the match without a few good chances. which he will have to be equal to if Dortmund are to be successful tonight.
Furthermore, Brandt's creative outlet will be beneficial to the way his side can move on the pitch, as his technical ability and composure in possession to choose the right pass will be crucial to how efficient Dortmund are in transitions.
