Champions League final preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will face each other at Wembley on Saturday in what will be the first ever all-German final.

With Bayern Munich (2001) and Borussia Dortmund (1997) having lifted one Champions League trophy each, the all-German final at Wembley means one of the Bundesliga sides will be crowned champions of the major European tournament for the second time.

Bayern Munich recent form:

Bayern Munich are considered firm favourites to win the game, after a marvelous display delivered in domestic league. Not only did they claimed the Bundesliga title earlier than any other team in history of German football, but they have also set numerous records which will be hard to beat. They secured more victories, suffered least defeats, conceded fewest goals, recorded most clean sheets and had the best goal difference than any other German side. They have also netted a goal in every Bundesliga game.

Bayern Munich’s dominance has also expanded to a European stage, as they have beaten Juventus and Barcelona in both legs of their quarter-final and semi-final games. The style in which they have outplayed their oppositions was probably more important, as they showed an excellent composure in front of goal and delivered an impressive defensive display in all of their games of the play-off round (all in all they scored 11 and did not concede). Bayern Munich are also praised for almost single-handedly ending Barcelona’s dominance, with the German giants winning 7-0 on aggregate in semis.

Bayern Munich will be hoping to break their hoodoo of losing in the Champions League finals, as they secured two defeats within three years against Inter Milan in 2010 and Chelsea in 2012, with the latter game being played at their home ground.

The game will be the last one for Jupp Heynckes in charge of the Bavarians, with Pep Guardiola succeeding the German veteran coach.

Borussia Dortmund recent form:

Champions League final is Borussia’s only chance of retaliation, after they lost both the Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal to their bitter rivals. The loss of their best player Mario Goetze to the hated adversaries will be their extra incentive.

Dortmund reached the final in spectacular fashion, after making a miraculous United-style comeback against Malaga in the dying stages of their quarter-final second leg at Westfalenstadion. They have also crashed Real Madrid by courtesy of Lewandowski’s four goals in the semi-final first leg, despite the defensive horror-show in the second half of semi-final second leg at Santiago Bernabeu.

Borussia boss Jurgen Klopp is dedicated proponent of attractive attacking football, however his side has been struggling against Bayern Munich lately, as they failed to win against the Bavarians in their last four Bundesliga games.

Bayern Munich team news:

Jupp Heynckes has not serious injury concerns ahead of the final. All players of the regular first XI are fit and healthy to face Borussia Dortmund.

Defender Holger Badstuber, who has been sidelined with a cruciate injury since December, is ruled out for a further 10 months. The 24-year-old has been operated by world-famous knee specialist Dr Richard Steadman, who has removed cruciate ligament in Badstuber’s right knee.

Borussia Dortmund team news:

Dortmund ace Mario Goetze, who shocked the fans and coaching staff alike with his decision to join arch rivals Bayern in summer, is set to miss the final due to lack of fitness after failing to recover in time from a hamstring injury. Some pundits argue, the omission of half-fit Goetze is tipped as a Klopp’s clever tactical plot by pundits, as it allows his players to focus on Goetze-free future.

Mats Hummels faces a race against time, as he is struggling with an ankle injury, picked up in Bundesliga game against Schalke. He is set to be assessed by the medical staff ahead of the Champions League final to determine whether he is fit enough to take part.

Lukasz Piszczek is set to feature in the final, although he will undergo a surgery afterwards, as confirmed by Dortmund.