143 days ago, Real Madrid added another chapter to their illustrious European history by defeating Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, securing their 15th European title. Tonight, the two clubs face off again at the Santiago Bernabéu in the third round of the Champions League, with Borussia Dortmund seeking revenge for their recent loss.
Dortmund enters this match in top form, having dominated their first two group-stage games. A 3-0 win over Club Brugge and a stunning 7-1 demolition of Celtic give them the best goal difference of the seven unbeaten teams in the competition. In contrast, Real Madrid’s season has been more inconsistent, particularly in away matches. Their recent 1-0 defeat to Lille in France marked their fourth away slip-up of the season.
However, Real Madrid’s form at home has been nothing short of spectacular in 2024. They remain unbeaten at the Santiago Bernabéu, with 16 wins and four draws in all competitions, eight of those wins by margins of two or more goals. Their dominance at home makes them one of the toughest opponents in European football this year.
Changes Since the Final
Both teams have undergone significant changes since the Champions League final. Real Madrid has lost key players like Toni Kroos to retirement and Nacho Fernandez to the Middle East, along with backup striker Joselu. To fill these gaps, they have brought in Kylian Mbappé and Endrick, both of whom have already made their mark by scoring in a 3-1 win against Stuttgart.
Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, has seen even more drastic changes. Head coach Edin Terzić has left, replaced by his assistant Nuri Şahin. Key players from the final, including Niklas Füllkrug, Mats Hummels, Marco Reus, and Sébastien Haller, are no longer with the team. Dortmund has rejuvenated its squad, signing players like Maximilian Beier, Waldemar Anton, Serhou Guirassy, Pascal Groß, and Yan Couto for a combined total of €80 million.
Despite their strong performance in the Champions League, Dortmund has struggled domestically in the Bundesliga, particularly in away games. They have managed just one point from three away matches, including heavy losses to Stuttgart and Union Berlin. These struggles show that Şahin’s team has difficulty performing without the support of their famous “Yellow Wall” of fans.
Şahin’s Strategic Move
Şahin stirred up controversy by choosing not to hold any training sessions in Madrid before the match, leading to speculation that he wanted to avoid giving Real Madrid’s staff a chance to observe their tactics. Şahin, however, dismissed these rumors, explaining that the team had already trained efficiently in Germany and that he didn’t want to add unnecessary strain after their two-hour flight to Madrid.
Click here to register for Best Betting in Kenya“We’ve prepared a strategy, not just for Mbappé and Vinícius, but for the entire Real Madrid squad. Our goal is to neutralize their biggest threats and impose our game on the pitch,” Şahin said.
A Storied Rivalry
This will be the 14th competitive match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund this century, all of which have been in the Champions League. Real Madrid leads the rivalry with six wins to Dortmund’s three, while four matches have ended in draws. Real Madrid has won the last three meetings, with their victory in the final 143 days ago being the most significant.
With Real Madrid unbeaten at home and Dortmund eager to prove their strength on the road, this rematch promises to be another thrilling chapter in their Champions League rivalry.
UEFA Champions League – Round 3 Fixtures:
- Tuesday
19:45: (1.45) AC Milan (4.40) Club Brugge (7.25)
19:45: (1.40) Monaco (5.30) Crvena Zvezda (8.00)
22:00: (1.10) Arsenal (11.0) Shakhtar (18.0)
22:00: (1.62) Aston Villa (3.80) Bologna (5.80)
22:00: (1.20) Girona (8.00) Slovan B. (14.0)
22:00: (1.87) Juventus (3.50) Stuttgart (4.20)
22:00: (1.45) PSG (4.50) PSV (7.00)
22:00: (1.50) Real Madrid (4.40) Dortmund (6.50) - Wednesday
19:45: (1.45) Atalanta (4.50) Celtic (7.00)
19:45: (6.25) Brest (4.70) Leverkusen (1.48)
22:00: (1.53) Atlético Madrid (4.00) Lille (6.75)
22:00: (2.40) Barcelona (3.60) Bayern (2.80)
Odds are subject to change.
