Champions League: Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund semi-final match preview
A look ahead to tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu
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Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid have a very long way to go if they want to win their first Champions League trophy in 11 seasons. They trail Borussia Dortmund 4-1 from the first leg last Wednesday when Robert Lewandowski ran riot in the Real defence. But with nothing to play for domestically until the Copa del Rey final in mid-May, Jose Mourinho’s men will throw everything, including the kitchen sink, at Dortmund to try and overturn the three goal deficit.
They will be boosted by their 2-1 derby win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday, which was their 10th consecutive win over their neighbours.
Dortmund likewise have little to play for domestically and with the Champions League their only hope of silverware this season, they will be doing everything in their power to keep Ronaldo and co at bay.
Real’s away goal at the Westfalenstadion has given them a lifeline. A 3-0 win would send them through to the final and considering they have scored the second highest number of goals in this season’s Champions League, a Wembley appearance on 25 May is not beyond them.
Los Blancos will take inspiration from a long list of famous Champions League comebacks at the Bernabeu. Marca – Spain’s biggest selling daily newspaper, reminded fans of their famous comeback against Derby County in the last sixteen tie in 1975. Just like Dortmund last week, Derby led 4-1 from the first leg but Real stormed back with an emphatic 5-1 win in Madrid.
Mourinho will be hoping the spirit of 1975 inspires his team to another famous comeback, but with Dortmund having won all of their last six matches, the Special One’s dream of becoming the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs may have to wait at least another season.
KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS...
Borussia Dortmund 4 (Lewandowski 4) Real Madrid 1 (Ronaldo), Champions League semi-final first leg, April 2013
Real Madrid 2 (Pepe, Ozil) Borussia Dortmund 2 (Rues, Arbeloa og), Champions League, group stage, November 2012
Borussia Dortmund 2 (Lewandowski, Schmelzer) Real Madrid 1 (Ronaldo), Champions League group stage, October 2012
STATS…
Real Madrid have conceded 14 goals in the Champions League this season, more than any of the other semi-finalists, while Borussia Dortmund have the best defensive record of the remaining four with just 10 goals against.
This will be the fourth time these two sides meet this season – Dortmund lead 8-4 on aggregate.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the competition’s top scorer with 12 goals, while Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski is second with 10. Ronaldo has had 52 attempts on target which is more than double the amount Lewandowski has managed.
This is Real Madrid’s third straight year that they have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Real Madrid are chasing their 10 Champions League triumph while Dortmund are looking to win their second.
The home side have lost just twice in their last 19 home Champions League games.
ODDS…
Real Madrid to win: 1.67
Borussia Dortmund to win: 5.3
Draw: 4.6
TV: Live on ITV at 7.45pm.
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