Real Madrid are the favourites heading into the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, but they can not take anything for granted.
Los Blancos have the chance to win their sixth Champions League trophy in the last 11 seasons, and their 15th overall, but standing in their way are a Dortmund side who have defied all expectations to reach the final.
The Germans finished fifth in the Bundesliga, but knocked out PSV Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid and Kylian Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain to reach the final.
Dortmund have just one Champions League trophy in their history, as they beat Juventus in the 1997 final, and they lost to Bayern Munich in the 2013 final, which was also at Wembley.
Julian Brandt confident Dortmund can compete against Real Madrid in Champions League final
Speaking ahead of the game, Dortmund star Julian Brandt expressed his confidence that Dortmund can pull off the biggest upset of all their ties against Real Madrid in the final.
“[Madrid] is the ultimate opponent in the Champions League with their history,” he stated.
“But our Champions League season gives us courage. We all have absolute faith. If it were any different, we might as well have stayed at home.
“We weren’t at our highest level when we conceded goals in September, but we are a totally different team now and have shown we are ready to compete for the trophy.
“We are the team with the most clean sheets in the competition. You need to keep the opposition as far away from goal as possible.”
Who are the Dortmund stars Real Madrid need to be wary of in Champions League final?
Brandt himself has had a strong campaign, but he will not be joining Toni Kroos and Antonio Rudiger in the Germany squad for the European Championships.
The same goes for defender Mats Hummels and winger Karim Adeyemi, who were both outstanding in the semi-finals against PSG.
Winger Jadon Sancho returned to the club on loan from Manchester United, and was a standout performer against PSG as he terrorised left-back Nuno Mendes with his dribbling, and he is a player Real Madrid will have to be wary of.
Dortmund’s outstanding defence won them the tie against PSG, and their attack has thrived throughout the competition this season, and there is no room for any complacency from Carlo Ancelotti’s side.