The 2024/25 Champions League has returned with a new format that has injected fresh excitement into Europe’s most prestigious competition. Gone is the traditional group stage, replaced by the Swiss system, which sees each team play eight different opponents. The draw produced some exciting fixtures that the Champions League betting odds will prove tough to call, including Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund.
In a rematch of last season’s final at Wembley, the reigning champions return to the Santiago Bernabéu as they look to win a 17th European crown, But Dortmund, under new manager Nuri Sahin, will be looking to get revenge after their 2-0 defeat back in June – now the question is asked if they can reach another final?
Last season’s showpiece at Wembley saw these two European powerhouses face off in an interesting game. Despite a bright start from Dortmund, Real Madrid’s experience ultimately prevailed, with goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior securing the victory.
That defeat left a bitter taste for Dortmund, especially with Edin Terzic departing the Bundesliga outfit a few weeks later, coinciding with the loss of crucial senior figures like Mats Hummels and Marco Reus – both featuring in the 2013 final at Wembley where BVB lost in the last minute to Bayern Munich.
Indeed, this is something of a new-look Dortmund side under Sahin, with a couple of new arrivals in Max Beier and Waldemar Anton forming the spine of the team.
Dortmund began the season in fine form, going unbeaten in their opening Bundesliga fixtures. However, a 5-1 loss to Stuttgart exposed some defensive frailties, raising questions about their ability to handle pressure in high-stakes matches. Nonetheless, the team has shown promise, and with the famous “Yellow Wall” at Signal Iduna Park, they remain formidable, but a trip to Madrid is far from the same pressure.
Sahin, who played for both Dortmund and Madrid before hanging up his boots, will know the atmosphere created in the Spanish capital on a big European night. They handled the pressure well in a 3-0 win against Club Brugge, but Madrid have been unbeaten at home in the Champions League since April 2022 and are littered with experience.
In La Liga, Madrid have had a strong start, sitting second and chasing leaders Barcelona. Hansi Flick’s influence at Barcelona has made the title race more intense, but Madrid’s focus will be on retaining their European crown.
Madrid beat Bundesliga side Stuttgart 3-1 in their opening fixture but made hard work of it. Deniz Undav pulled the German’s level with just over 20 minutes to play before late goals from Antonio Rudiger and Endrick salvaged things. Carlo Ancelotti is well aware his side must do more if they want to top the new league table.
“We are still looking for our best version and at times we have done well. When we scored the game could have been over but after the draw, we had the strength to win a very important game,” he said. “If anyone thinks that winning games is easy, they are wrong. I have coached more than 200 Champions League games and I do not remember any of them without suffering.”
As the two sides prepare to meet once more, fans can expect a high-intensity match with plenty of attacking football. Dortmund will look to press high and disrupt Madrid’s build-up play, while Madrid will aim to control possession and pick their moments to strike.
With both teams possessing firepower and defensive vulnerabilities, this match could be a closely contested affair.
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