Tomorrow , Saturday 2
5 May 2013 Bayern Munich and fellow rivals Borussia Dortmund square off at the famous Wembley stadium. Being in this year’s UEFA Champions League final showpiece indicates great strides being made by Germany teams in becoming masters of this popular sport. However much is being expected from these two teams who have displayed some fantastic football in this season’s competition. Bayern thrashed highly fancied Spanish giants Barcelona 4-0 at the Allianz Arena and repeated the same feat by beating the Spanish champions 3-0 in front of their own fans at Camp Nou.After the match in Germany, World Footballer of the Year holder Lionel Messi admitted that they were inferior. Borussia Dortmund also thrashed favourites Real Madrid 4-1 in Germany. These results clearly shows that balance of power has indeed shifted in Europe.
Bayern Munich are favourites in this match, having enjoyed a tumult-free season through out. The Bavarians have lost only 2 of their matches in all competitions this season. On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund have played some fantastic attacking football this season. Both teams have a lot of talent.Expect a shower of goals on both ends of the field.These two teams have strikers who are equally capable of causing headaches to any particular defence. Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic are dangerous players who should be closely monitored, ask Barcelona. BvB are also going to rely on the services of talismanic Poland international Robert Lewandowski who notched in four goals against Real Madrid.
This match is also going to display the defensive capabilities of the two teams. The defence of Dante and Phillip Lahm is going to bring frowns to Lewandowski’s face. These two defenders knows how to muffle the attacks of any opponent.That’s the reason why Bayern Munich had the most clean sheets in both the Champions League and Bundesliga. Expect a holiday for Neuer. Borussia Dortmund also boast the services of Never Subotic and Matt Hummels. That is certainly going to provide a barrier to Bayern attack mostly from the wings occupied by Ribery and Arjen Robben. It is certainly going to need a strong managerial piece of mind to salvage something from this close encounter.Both teams are under pressure. Despite winning the Bundesliga, Bayern wants the trophy to bring a smile to the departing Jupp Heynckes and to avenge their 2012 loss to Chelsea in front of their own fans. On the other hand, BvB needs something to put in their shelf after being piped to the title by Bayern and the Champions League, I’m afraid, is the only one left.Tears are going to be shed and hearts broken.These are some of the ingredients of a final.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
BvB:
Robert Lewandowski: The Poland international has been in terrific form this season and has a good record.Only Christiano Ronaldo has found the back of the net (12 goals) more than his 10
Ilkay Gundogan: He has enjoyed his stay at Dortmund. His partnership with Reus is certainly going to reap rewards for Jurgen Klopp.”We got him [in May 2011] and he has turned into a real strategist,” Klopp told UEFA.com.
“It is extraordinary. Not many players can do that.” he added
Marco Reus is expected to play a major role in midfield, partly caused by the absence of Bayern bound Mario Gotze through injury.He is also going to provide constant threats to Neuer and hopefully he can grab one or two.
Bayern Munich:
Thomas Muller:He has been fantastic throughout the season. He is Bayern’s top goal scorer in all competitions. He has also scored a number of goals in the Uefa Champions League (8) He is the competition’s third top goal scorer. Watch out for him!
Mario Mandzukic: Despite scoring only two goals in the UEFA, Mario is certainly going to inflict damage to their fellow Germans.Ruthless in attack and accuracy at goal, he is a real asset for Bayern attack
Arjen Robben: The Dutch midfielder’s pace and agility is unrivaled. He shows how he can be a constant threat to defenders by his goals against Barcelona.His partnership with Ribery is much dreaded.