Germany to rule Europe with first European Champions for 12 years

Two German sides will compete for the crown of Champions of Europe at Wembley this weekend, when Bayern Munich take on Borussia Dortmund. The two Bundesliga giants have been competing fiercely for domestic honours in recent seasons, and now they must come face to face for the biggest prize in European club football. Bayern Munich will be looking to make amends for two defeats in Champions League finals in the last three years, while Borussia Dortmund will be hoping to repeat their feat of 1997, when they overcame the odds to lift the trophy.

Bayern Munich have enjoyed a convincing run to the Champions League final this year. Despite losing the home leg in the round of 16 against Arsenal, a comfortable away victory sent them through to the quarter finals on away goals. The 4-0 aggregate victory over Italian champions Juventus was impressive enough, but they then followed this up by defeating Spanish champions Barcelona 4-0 at home and 3-0 in the Nou Camp to reach the final.

Borussia Dortmund’s journey has been far from straightforward. After despatching Shakhtar Donetsk in the round of 16, they were seconds from elimination against Malaga, before two goals in stoppage time dramatically sent them through to the semi-final stage. After a breathtaking display to defeat Real Madrid 4-1 at home, they survived a late onslaught in Spain to reach the final after a 2-0 loss.

Despite winning the Bundesliga title in record time, Bayern Munich’s form has not dropped, and they have won 5 and drawn 1 of their last 6 games. They have only been defeated twice over the course of the season in all competitions, and will be looking to win both the Champions League and the German Cup in the coming weeks. Since reaching the Champions League final, Dortmund have not recorded a single win. They have drawn twice and lost once since the tie against Real Madrid, conceding 6 goals in the process.

Both games between the sides ended 1-1 this season, meaning that Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten against Bayern in their last 6 league matches. Bayern did defeat Dortmund in the German Cup this season, gaining revenge for a 5-2 defeat to their rivals in last season’s German Cup final. They have met in the Champions League once before, and Borussia Dortmund emerged from the tie victorious, with a 1-0 aggregate victory after extra time in 1997/98.

Bayern Munich’s captain Philipp Lahm will be desperate to finally lift the Champions League trophy, and he will be hopeful of victory after being part of the defence that has conceded just 18 goals in 34 league games this season. Bastian Schweinsteiger has played more games than any other outfield player this season for Bayern, and while attacking players such as Ribery, Robben and Kroos have gained the plaudits, the ‘midfield motor’ has been one of Bayern’s most consistent performers this campaign. Mario Mandzukic is expected to be playing as a lone striker, holding up the ball and attempting to add to his 20 goals in his first season at Bayern.

In contrast to Bayern’s strong defensive record, Dortmund have kept just 8 clean sheets in the league this season, and goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller may need to provide an inspired performance to keep Munich at bay. Mario Gotze has been ruled out of the final with injury, so the pressure is on Marco Reus to provide the creativity and goals from midfield, after notching up 4 goals already in the Champions League this season. After a sensational 4 goal haul against Real Madrid in the semi-final, all eyes will be on Robert Lewandowski on Saturday, as he tries to fire his side to glory. The Pole has an impressive 36 goals already this season, including 10 in just 12 games in the competition.

It has been 12 years since Germany produced a Champions League winner, but it is guaranteed that a side from the Bundesliga will be the new Champions of Europe this weekend. After disposing of some of the other giants of Europe on the road to Wembley, both sides have earned their place in the final, and there is no doubt that the eventual winner will be the deserved winners of this season’s competition.