In Summary:
- Vinicius Junior has been a standout performer in this season’s Champions League.
- Real Madrid’s recent goal-scoring form suggests they are poised for another strong showing.
Vinicius Junior: Ready to Rewrite History for Real Madrid Once More.
Real Madrid, the most decorated team in Champions League history, is set to chase their 15th title against Borussia Dortmund, the 1997 champions, at Wembley.
With Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, Real Madrid enters the match with a strong advantage. Ancelotti, the competition’s most successful manager with four titles, adds considerable experience to the team.
However, Borussia Dortmund’s impressive semi-final victories over Paris Saint-Germain show they are capable of mounting a serious challenge.
Team News:
Borussia Dortmund will be without Remy Bensebaini and Julien Duranville. Sebastien Haller has just returned to training, but Niclas Fullkrug, favored by Edin Terzic in European matches, is expected to lead the attack.
For Real Madrid, the goalkeeping situation is a concern. Andriy Lunin, recovering from the flu, will travel separately to London and is in a race against time to be fit.
Thibaut Courtois’ timely return eases the situation, but both keepers are not fully fit.
Additionally, David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni are out, and Toni Kroos will make his final club appearance before retiring after Euro 2024.
The Stats:
- Vinicius Junior has netted five goals and provided four assists in his nine Champions League matches this season.
- Real Madrid has scored 13 goals in their last four games.
- Dortmund has conceded the first goal in two of their last three Champions League matches against Spanish teams.
- Real Madrid has won four of the last eight Champions League titles.
- The last four Champions League finals have ended 1-0.
- Vinicius scored the opening goal in Real Madrid’s 2022 Champions League final win.
Prediction:
Real Madrid, this season’s dominant LaLiga champions, are experts in the Champions League, making them favorites against Borussia Dortmund, who finished fifth in the Bundesliga.
Nonetheless, Dortmund’s back-to-back clean sheets against PSG will boost their morale.
The pattern of narrow finals might persist, with the last four Champions League finals finishing 1-0.
This trend highlights the first goalscorer market, with Vinicius Junior being a prime candidate.
Vinicius has had a stellar season, scoring five goals and providing four assists in the Champions League, and has shown his prowess in crucial matches.
He scored the only goal in Real Madrid’s 2022 final win and delivered a hat-trick in the Super Cup final against Barcelona.
According to analysts, his consistent big-game performances make him a strong bet to score first at Wembley this weekend