Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday is expected to be an exciting tactical matchup. Real Madrid is the clear favourite, but Dortmund has proven they can frustrate the big boys, and there will be plenty of individual battles to watch in this head-to-head match.

The anticipated starting lineups for Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid in the championship game are shown here, along with an analysis of how Edin Terzic and Carlo Ancelotti might pull off some surprising roster choices.

Borussia Dortmund’s expected starting lineup

——-   Kobel ——-

—- Maatsen —- Ryerson —- Hummels —- Schlotterbeck —-

—— Sabitzer —— Can ——

Adeyemi, Brandt, and Sancho

——– Fullkrug ——

Dortmund’s back four is extremely well-established, and Hummels’s experience has been crucial to the team’s ability to stand strong during this surprising run to the championship. Goalie Kobel has also performed admirably over numerous defensive masterclasses. Maatsen will be charged with keeping Rodrygo quiet, so his speed and cunning at left back could play a major role in stopping Real Madrid. Marcel Sabitzer and Emre Can, two seasoned midfielders, have shown their naysayers to be wrong and are excellent ball keepers. And as they cut in and switch, that is crucial to involving Sancho, Brandt, and Adeyemi as much as possible. Dortmund has a lot of options in the attacking third thanks to players like Reus, Moukoko, and Malen who can come off the bench. Fullkrug is a fantastic focal point for Dortmund’s attack, and his hold-up play will help them relieve some of the intense pressure they will be under on Saturday. Dortmund’s strategy will be to stay deep and deny Real any space in behind, then launch swift counterattacks by hitting Fullkrug early and moving Sancho and Adeyemi high and wide up the pitch.

Real Madrid’s anticipated starting lineup

——- Courtois ——-
Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, and others

Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga, and others

Bellingham

Vinicius Jr. —— Vinrygo ——

With Lunin filling in well to help them reach the championship, Ancelotti has not yet decided who will start in goal. However, with Thibaut Courtois back to full fitness and his track record of success in major finals, you would anticipate the Belgian to be selected. With Nacho turning back the years, the back four picks itself, and he and Rudiger will love the task of attempting to silence Fullkrug in a manner akin to how they subdued Erling Haaland. Real Madrid’s main problem is in the midfield. Due to Aurelien Tchouameni’s injury, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, and Eduardo Camavinga will probably start to provide Real Madrid with a strong defensive front four. But with all of his big-game experience, will Luka Modric get the start? Jude Bellingham will likely start in attacking midfield and stray to the left a little bit. His forward runs will create openings for Vinicius and Rodrygo to break free and wreak havoc, in particular on the counter. Real has been devastating opponents in this manner throughout the season, and if they can create a lot of counterattacking opportunities against Dortmund, they should have a great deal of fun.