At the beginning of Champions
League Round of 16, no one would have expected this year's final to be the
first all-German showdown. The two rivals, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund,
edged past the Spanish giants in their respective semi-finals to set up the
fourth UEFA Champions League final between teams from the same country.
While Germany's most prestigious club, Bayern Munich, was one the favorites to
make the final this year, their arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund - who were tagged
as underdogs in the tournament - have surprised everyone with their ferocious
skills and talent.
Bayern Munich, valued at $1,309 million, are up against a team that is valued
at a mere $456 million - a fact that has attracted a lot of support for
Borussia Dortmund and irks the football big shots. The darlings of soccer nerds
and people who dislike rich clubs, BVB have transformed themselves into giant
killers from being just the underdogs.
The yellow German powerhouse faced their biggest test in the Champions League
semi-finals against Real Madrid - one of the most successful clubs in the
tournament's history. But, to everyone's surprise, BVB stunned the Spanish
giants 3-2 on aggregate to make the tournament final.
On the other hand, Bayern Munich were able to dictate their terms against
Barcelona during their semi-finals tie. Jupp Heynckes' men annihilated the
Spanish superstars 7-0 on aggregate to announce their arrival at the tournament
final.
After dominating the German Bundesliga for two years in a row, Jurgen Klopp's
men lost the title to their arch-rivals Bayern Munich this season - a fact that
makes this year's Champions League final more exciting.
While Bayern Munich have reportedly planned their Champions League victory party
in advance - after booking the Great Room in the Grosvenor House Hotel with a
buffet for 1,800 people and a bar extension to 5am, their track record in the
tournament final speaks otherwise.
The Bavarians have reached ten European Cup/UEFA Champions League finals and
have lost six of them with their most recent heartbreak against Chelsea last
season. The last time Bayern won the title was back in 2001 against Valencia
with 5-4 victory on penalties.The Champions League final this year will be more
than just about the silverware between these two wherein Borussia Dortmund will
be looking to avenge their Bundesliga title defeat against Bayern Munich - who
will be eyeing their fifth tournament title this season.
players to watch from Borussia Dortmund:
Robert Lewandowski:The 24-year-old Polish footballer has been the
livewire for Jurgen Klopp's squad out upfront. With 10 sensational goals for
Dortmund, the hot-shot striker is the second top goal-scorer after Real
Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League this season. Lewangoalski
also became the first player to score four goals in a Champions League
semifinal during Dortmund's 4-1 win over Real Madrid 4-1 in the first leg. He
is also the top goal-scorer in the Bundesliga this year with 25 goals for Dortmund.
Marco Reus: The
23-year-old German winger is known for his versatility, speed and technique.
The 2012 Footballer of the Year in Germany has scored four goals for Dortmund
in the Champions League this season. He instigated numerous Dortmund moves against
Real Madrid in the semi-finals to sink the Spanish giants. Dortmund's young gun
has also scored 14 goals for his side in the Bundesliga this year.
Players to watch from Bayern Munich:
Thomas Muller:The 23-year-old German star has been a goal-machine for
Bayern Munich in the Champions League this season. With 8 goals to his name,
Muller is placed third top goal-scorer right behind Borussia Dortmund's Robert
Lewandowski in the Champions League this season. The winger has also scored 13
goals in the Bundesliga this season for Bayern.
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| Thomas Muller |
Bastian Schweinsteiger:The 28-year-old German footballer is the key to
Bayern Munich's midfield play. His capability to play out wide or in a more
central role makes him an ideal player to have in your team. His backheel flick
goal against Eintracht Frankfurt on April 6, 2013 sealed the Bundesliga title
for Bayern Munich. Schweini scored a total of seven goals for Bayern in the
Bundesliga this season.
Probable Line-up(from):
Bayern Munich:Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Javi Martinez,
Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Mandzukic.
Borussia Dortmund:Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer,
Bender, Gundogan, Grosskreutz, Blaszczykowski, Reus, Lewandowski.
Do You Know:
- Germany would become fourth country to have both its clubs featuring in the
finals (Borussia Dortmund-Bayern Munich in 2013), after Spain (Real
Madrid-Valencia CF in 2000), Italy (Milan-Juventus in 2003) and England
(Manchester United FC-Chelsea FC in 2008).
- Borussia Dortmund were the first German club to win a European title when
they won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1966.
- Bayern Munich have won four and lost three of seven UEFA competition ties
against German rivals.
- Bayern Munich's victory would make Heynckes the 19th coach to have won the
European Cup twice, following his 1998 success with Real Madrid.
- Bayern Munich's 2-5 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the 2012 DFB-Pokal
final was their worst ever loss in a final.
- The rivalry between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich reached to a new
height when Dortmund edged past Bayern on a 1-0 aggregate in the 1998 UEFA
Champions League quarter-finals.
- In 2002, manager Matthias Sammer became the first person in Borussia Dortmund
history to win the Bundesliga as a player and manager with their third
Bundesliga title.
- Borussia Dortmund are one of four German clubs to win the Bundesliga and
DFB-Pokal double along with Bayern Munich, 1. FC Koln, and Werder Bremen.
- Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich were carded a record of 15 times in a
match played on 7 April 2001.
- Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski became the first player to score four
goals in a Champions League semifinal where Dortmund thrashed Real Madrid 4-1
in the first leg.
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