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Borussia Dortmund are the underdogs going into the UCL final clash with Real Madrid. However, they have some exciting players that can shock Los Blancos.
In less than 48 hours, the most important football game of the 2023/2024 season will be underway - the UEFA Champions League final.
Perennial winners Real Madrid led by Carlo Ancelotti, will be looking to add another title to their magnificent trophy cabinet.
However, in their way stands Borussia Dortmund who have, against all odds, made it to the final of Europe’s premier club competition.
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The German side saw off Athletico Madrid and in the semi-final, they managed to withstand the firepower of Kylian Mbappe and his PSG teammates to book a date with Real Madrid.
Here are four important players that must deliver if Borussia Dortmund is to stand any chance against overwhelming favourites Real Madrid.
1. Jadon Sancho
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Sancho has rediscovered his best form since returning to Borussia Dortmund on loan from Manchester United in January.
Sancho is playing the best football of his career since a £75m move to Old Trafford. Against PSG, he was arguably the best player on the pitch, and was a handful for Le Parisien defenders.
Real Madrid fullbacks have to be wary of the threat that Sancho offers - the Englishman has the ability to run past his marker and square play to any of his teammates.
Borussia Dortmund would be counting on Sancho's pace and his precise dribbling to help see them past Real Madrid.
2. Niclas Fuellkrug
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Niclas Fuellkrug is having a season to remember. He's found his scoring boots in recent games, both for club and country, bagging 3 goals and 2 assists in 12 UCL games.
Although he didn't score against PSG, he troubled their backline all night, and he scored important goals, including against Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final.
Against a well-drilled Madrid backline that has the likes of Rudiger and Militao, Niclas Fuellkrug would need to be clinical in front of goal and add to his tally of 16 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
Also, Dortmund must learn from fellow German side Bayern Munich that failure to take your chances against Madrid will most certainly come back to bite.
3. Mats Hummels
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Without any doubt, Mats Hummels has been one of the standout players for Dortmund this season, both in the Bundesliga and in Europe.
In the semis, it was the former Bayern man who in addition to marshalling the 'yellow wall,' leaped highest to score the crucial goal that booked Dortmund's place in the final.
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Borussia Dortmund will play as the underdog against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final, a competition that the Spanish giants have historically dominated.
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Dortmund will be counting on the experienced defender to put in another impressive display at the back against Madrid - keeping Vinicius Junior, Rodygo, and former teammate Jude Bellingham quiet when they square up at Wembley.
Meanwhile, despite having a brilliant season for Dortmund, Julian Nagelsmann decided against including Hummels in the Germany squad for EURO 2024.
The 35-year-old centreback while responding to his omission from the squad said “It’s bitter for me as an individual because I’m currently one of the five best defenders in Germany.”
However, Hummels will have to put the disappointment of being ignored by Nagelsmann behind him and deliver once again, both in the heart of defense and offensively at the other end from setpieces.
4. Karim Adeyemi
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Although he's also another Dortmund star left out of Julian Niglesmann's squad for EURO 2024, the German attacker is one of the best wingers in world football.
Karim Adeyemi has played a crucial part in Dortmund's run to the Champions League final, and he will need to put in another stellar performance when they face Madrid.
As Sancho will be troubling Madrid from the right flank, Karim Adeyemi would be doing same down the left.
If the aforementioned stars and Sancho turn up on Saturday, then Dortmund might just lay their hands on their first UCL trophy since 1997.
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