Dortmund vs Real Madrid: Team News, H2H, Predicted lineup and Match Preview

The UEFA Champions League Final this season will feature Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium in London, with the match scheduled to kick off at 8pm BST on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Borussia Dortmund Form

Borussia Dortmund aim to conquer their past Champions League disappointments under Wembley’s arch this Saturday, 11 years after Arjen Robben’s decisive goal secured Bayern Munich's victory in the 2012-13 final, also held in London.

Departing legend Marco Reus and revitalized defender Mats Hummels, the only remaining players from that runner-up team, understand the importance of June 1, as do all of coach Terzic’s first-time finalists.

Dortmund’s strong showing in the challenging group stage against AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Newcastle United hinted at their potential. They comfortably defeated PSV Eindhoven and overcame a first-leg loss to Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals with a stunning comeback.

Despite losing only once in the 2023-24 tournament at the Wanda Metropolitano, Dortmund advanced with remarkable defensive efforts, achieving consecutive 1-0 wins over PSG. Hummels’ crucial header in the second leg secured their spot in the final for the third time in history.

Dortmund, who won the European Cup in 1996-97 under Ottmar Hitzfeld with a 3-1 victory over Juventus, haven’t reached the final since their loss to Bayern over a decade ago. With Real Madrid's semi-final success, a chance for revenge against Bayern didn’t materialize.

Even though Bayern lost their Bundesliga dominance, Dortmund and other teams couldn’t stop Bayer Leverkusen's rise. Dortmund's final game, a 4-0 victory over SV Darmstadt 98, wasn’t enough to improve their fifth-place league finish.

Nonetheless, Germany’s high UEFA coefficient ensures Dortmund’s place in next year's Champions League regardless of Saturday’s outcome. They seek their fourth consecutive Champions League win for the first time in nearly a decade.

While Dortmund’s overall trophy drought hasn’t matched their 27-year wait for a second Champions League title—they last won the DFB-Pokal in 2020-21—a Champions League victory would be a crowning achievement for Reus as he prepares to leave the club.

Real Madrid Form

As has been the norm throughout his illustrious Champions League career, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, already distinguished with four European Cup titles as a head coach, will set aside sentimentality as he aims to further cement his legendary status.

On Saturday, 14-time champions Real Madrid will also bid farewell to their esteemed German midfielder, Toni Kroos, who will play his final club match before retiring after Euro 2024. The 34-year-old has previously experienced Champions League final glory over Dortmund during his time with Bayern Munich.

In the group stage, Kroos and his key Real Madrid teammates won all their matches against Portuguese club Braga, former Italian champions Napoli, and Bundesliga newcomers Union Berlin. However, their 2-1 aggregate win over RB Leipzig in the last 16 was less convincing.

True to their resilient nature, Ancelotti’s squad then overcame defending champions Manchester City on penalties, avenging their 2022-23 semi-final defeat, before shocking Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, a stunning goal from Alphonso Davies seemed to end Real’s hopes, but Espanyol loanee Joselu scored twice to secure their place at Wembley.

Thanks to Joselu’s heroics, Real Madrid will feature in the Champions League final for the 18th time, having won 14 of their previous 17 appearances. They haven’t lost a final since their 1981 defeat to Liverpool, triumphing in their last eight finals.

Winning on Saturday would complete a treble for the reigning La Liga and Supercopa de España champions. Despite ending their league campaign with draws against Villarreal and Real Betis, Ancelotti's squad remains confident.

Unbeaten in 25 matches since January’s Copa del Rey loss to Atletico, Real Madrid have scored in every away game this season, an encouraging sign ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

How can I watch Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid

In the UK, the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 6pm. Additionally, fans can stream the match for free via the Discovery+ app and website.

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid H2H

These two teams have faced each other quite frequently over the past decade. Currently, Real Madrid holds a slight advantage in their recent head-to-head record. Los Blancos have won two of the last five encounters, while Dortmund has won one, with the remaining two matches ending in draws.

Last 5 Games

. Real Madrid 3-2 Dortmund

. Dortmund 1-3 Real Madrid

. Real Madrid 2-2 Dortmund

. Dortmund 2-2 Real Madrid

. Dortmund 2-0 Real Madrid

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Team News
Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund's medical team is working to restore several key players to full health, including Ramy Bensebaini (knee), Julien Duranville (muscle), and Mateu Morey (illness), though Morey was not part of the Champions League knockout squad.

The only uncertainty in the squad is striker Sebastien Haller, who has resumed training after an ankle injury. However, he is expected to play a secondary role to Niclas Fullkrug, who scored Dortmund's first goal against PSG in the semi-finals.

Ten of the eleven starters from the second-leg victory over PSG also began the final Bundesliga match against Darmstadt. The exception was Marco Reus, who replaced Julian Brandt and scored in his last Bundesliga appearance for Dortmund.

Although fans may want Reus to play, coach Terzic is likely to reinstate Brandt in an otherwise stable starting lineup. Jadon Sancho, potentially playing his last game for the club amid ongoing speculation about his future, will aim to trouble Ferland Mendy on the right wing after an impressive performance against PSG. In Reus's likely absence, Emre Can, a 2012-13 Champions League winner, will wear the captain's armband.

Real Madrid

David Alaba, who helped defeat Dortmund in the 2012-13 Champions League alongside the departing Toni Kroos, remains sidelined with an ACL injury, which has also dashed his Euro 2024 hopes.

The Austrian defender is one of two Real Madrid players who will miss the final, with Aurelien Tchouameni unable to recover from a foot injury in time. Nacho Fernandez is expected to wear the captain's armband one last time before his anticipated departure.

Most of Ancelotti's outfield players, including former Dortmund standout Jude Bellingham, are in good shape. However, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is dealing with a bout of flu and is isolating from the squad. If his condition improves, Lunin will travel separately to London, making Thibaut Courtois the clear choice to start.

Kroos, playing his final match for Real Madrid, is set to join Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde in a midfield trio, as Luka Modric will not feature. Despite Joselu's heroics in the semi-final, the forward line is expected to remain unchanged, with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior leading the attack.

Predicted Lineup

Borussia Dortmund possible lineup:

Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Fullkrug

Real Madrid possible lineup:

Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Prediction:

Dortmund's journey to the final, marked by triumphs in the group of death, a stunning comeback against Atletico, and keeping PSG at bay, leaves no doubt about their deserving spot. However, Terzic and his team are aware they benefited from PSG's missed opportunities in the semi-finals.

Real Madrid's road to Wembley has also been fraught with challenges. Yet, whether it's the players thriving under pressure, the passionate support of their fans, or the influence of Ancelotti's leadership, the 14-time champions always find a way to prevail.

Saturday's final is expected to follow suit. Just as last year's final between Man City and Inter Milan was decided by a single goal, a similar scenario could unfold in London, with Real Madrid reclaiming their place as Europe's top team.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Real Madrid