The Champions League final at Wembley closes the European football season on Saturday as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund descend on London. Both clubs are looking to become the first German winners since 2001, when Bayern were successful.
Bayern Munich have steamrolled all infront of them this season, both domestically and in Europe. Not only have they reached their third Champions League final in four years, Jupp Heynckes men won the Bundesliga title by 25 points and are due to play the German Cup final in a week’s time. It has been a remarkable season to date but they have to finish the job. Despite being the better side for the entirety of the 120 minutes in last season’s final, Bayern failed to take their chances and paid the ultimate price on penalties. Of course, this is Heynckes swansong as the club’s manager with Pep Guardiola signed up to take over during the close season. It would be a fitting ending, for a man who has had three separate spells in charge, if Bayern can win their next two matches.
Borussia Dortmund have surprised many with their performances at the highest level this season. Ranked as 50/1 outsiders before the competition started, Jurgen Klopp’s men have saw off all before them in the Champions League, including Real Madrid in the group stages and again in the semi-finals. In hindsight, it looks as though Klopp and his players have targeted this competition despite winning the last two league titles in Germany. Their domestic form has been nowhere near as consistent as it was when they were successful in the Bundesliga, but they have taken their performances to a whole new level in Europe. Like their opponents this weekend, they too have personnel who will be leaving for pastures new in the summer. Mario Gotze – who misses the match due to injury – has already signed a contract with Munich whilst it’s widely reported that star striker and leading scorer Robert Lewandowski, will be joining him.
The dismantling of Barcelona in the semi-finals was as impressive and efficient a display of football you’re likely to see. You could argue that Barcelona were not at their strongest (which they weren’t) but Bayern were irresistible and the 7-0 aggregate result shows the gulf in class between the two. There are outstanding players everywhere you look in the Bayern squad but it’s also evident that unlike Real with Ronaldo and Barca with Messi, there is not that one star that sits above the rest. Every aspect of their philosophy is about team work and pulling together, and that is evidenced by their goals, with half a dozen players scoring 9 or more goals in all competitions.
Dortmund also saw off Spanish opposition in their semi-final and arguably, their first leg performance against Real Madrid in Germany was even more impressive than anything Bayern done. Unlike their German counterparts, Dortmund were the underdogs in the tie and Real Madrid – with Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks – were big favourites to progress and looked to be coming to their peak late on in the season. Dortmund’s pace, energy and ruthlessness blew their more illustrious opponents out the water and it turned out to be enough to see them through despite losing the second leg.
It’s a very intriguing and exciting clash between the two superpowers of German football. There is little doubt that both Dortmund and Bayern have been the best two sides in Europe and deserve their place in Saturday’s final. If it was needed, there’s even more focus on the game with two of Dortmund’s best players likely to switch sides after this match.
Many are expecting an open and entertaining final and I think it’s hard to argue with. If there is to be one hindrance to that, it may be because both sides are at their best when counter attacking. With so much pace on either side, keeping possession in the right areas is going to be paramount. Dortmund will miss Gotze’s control of a game but they have plenty of quality, especially in midfield, that it’s unlikely to affect them too much. Bayern have an embarrassment of riches but it’s likely that the core of the players who have got them this far will get their chance in the final, which should mean Mario Mandzukic instead of Mario Gomez upfront.
The two league fixtures between the sides this season have ended 1-1 whilst Bayern beat Dortmund 1-0 in the German Cup. Although there were 25 points between them at the end of the season there were mitigating circumstances and I expect a much closer match this time around. I expect a very entertaining game but there is enough respect from both sides that it won’t be to a cost. With that in mind, backing the draw, or 1-1 after 90 minutes, wouldn’t be the worst wagers in the world.
Another bet I have picked out is for Thomas Muller to score in the 90 minutes. Having opened the scoring in the final last season, the attacker has been in tremendous scoring form this campaign. He scored three in the semi-final tie against Barcelona; one against Juventus and Arsenal in the quarter finals and last 16 respectively as well as three in the group stages. He’s a man for the big occasion and he could well be the main man again tomorrow.
Let’s hope the final lives up to expectation and we are all entertained – it promises to be special.
Draw 16/5 @ Bwin
1-1 15/2 @ Betvictor
Thomas Muller to score anytime 9/4 @ StanJames
