By James Cormack
Borussia Dortmund are synonymous with defying the odds and have the chance to stun the footballing world in Saturday's Champions League final.
Redemption is on the menu for the German club as they return to Wembley 11 years after they were beaten by Klassiker rivals Bayern Munich in the first all-German Champions League final.
Bayern came ever so close to joining BVB in Saturday's showpiece event but eventually succumbed to vintage Real Madrid voodoo magic in the last four. Thus, Dortmund will face the 14-time champions under the iconic arch.
Manager Edin Terzic is unlikely to change too much from the side that downed Paris Saint-Germain over two legs. Here's the Dortmund XI that could start the 2024 Champions League final.
Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
GK: Gregor Kobel - Kobel has enjoyed an excellent season, keeping a pair of clean sheets in the semi-final, and he'll need to be at his absolute best to shut down Madrid this weekend.
RB: Julian Ryerson - The Dortmund full-back has come on leaps and bounds this term but his toughest test awaits in the form of Vinicius Junior on Saturday.
CB: Mats Hummels - It's been a legacy-defining Champions League campaign from Hummels so far. Has he got one more vintage performance in him?
CB: Nico Schlotterbeck - Hummels' junior partner has also been stellar in Europe this season and is one whose transfer value could increase tremendously with a sound showing at Wembley.
LB: Ian Maatsen - The Chelsea loanee has played a key role in the club's continental journey thus far, with the inverted role bringing the best out of him.
CM: Emre Can - The Dortmund skipper has his work cut out against a dynamic and supremely well-balanced Madrid midfield. The Spaniards will also target the German as a pressing trigger.
CM: Marcel Sabitzer - A man reborn in Dortmund, Sabitzer starred in the quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid, while his grit and determination were lauded in Paris. He'll work his socks off on Saturday.
RW: Jadon Sancho - Sancho's the X-factor talent who gives Dortmund a chance. The winger has performed superbly down the stretch and will be playing on familiar territory this weekend.
AM: Julian Brandt - BVB are poised to sit deep and counter Madrid, with Brandt playing a key role as the German side's linker between defence and attack.
LW: Karim Adeyemi - Adeyemi's defensive effort will certainly be put to the test, but Dortmund will feel they can get at Dani Carvajal through the German's remarkable speed. He is BVB's chief threat in transition.
ST: Niclas Fullkrug - The big man will battle compatriot Antonio Rudiger at Wembley, with the pair poised to partake in an immensely physical duel. Fullkrug must help Dortmund get up the pitch on Saturday.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup vs Real Madrid - Champions League final.
