Real Madrid vs Dortmund – match preview and team news

Real Madrid host Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday evening in a repeat of last season's Champions League final.

Los Blancos will be looking to respond after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat in Lille in their last European game.

Carlo Ancelotti is spoiled for choice in the attacking areas and Brahim Diaz has trained this week after an injury break, while David Alaba is close to returning to action after a lengthy break.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin has had a promising start to his tenure at Dortmund, with the German side currently sitting at the top of the 36-team Champions League table.

Niklas Sule is expected to be available after suffering gastrointestinal problems, but Yan Couto and Karim Adeyemi are expected to miss the game.

Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund – match preview and team news

Form

Real Madrid: WDLWW

The Spanish giants are currently unbeaten after ten games in La Liga, but are three points behind strong rivals Barcelona.

It's a big week for Real Madrid, who will play their first El Clásico of the season with the arrival of Barcelona at the Bernabeu after the game against Dortmund.

Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. gave the reigning La Liga champions three points away to Celta Vigo at the weekend.

After a slow start, Mbappe is rediscovering his power in front of goal and the 25-year-old has already scored eight goals this season.

In Europe it was an unusual start for Real Madrid, who initially had an unconvincing victory against Stuttgart and then lost in Lille.

Borussia Dortmund: LWWLW

Dortmund are at the top of the Champions League table thanks to their 7-0 win over Celtic in their last continental game.

They gave the Scottish champions an inhospitable welcome at Signal Iduna Park, scoring seven goals in a ferocious performance against Brendan Rodgers' side. The yellow-blacks were 5-1 up at half-time, with Karim Adeyemi scoring a hat trick.

Felix Nmecha and Serhou Guirassy completed the defeat after the break and that result, coupled with a comprehensive victory over Club Brugge in Belgium, secures them top spot.

Domestically, Nuri Sahin's side currently sit seventh in the Bundesliga, although they are just four points off the top.

Last encounter: Borussia Dortmund – Real Madrid 0-2, Champions League, June 1, 2024.

In the last duel, Real Madrid defeated Dortmund to win an unprecedented fifteenth Champions League title under the Wembley arch.

Los Blancos are known for standing firm on crucial occasions and this was no different as Dortmund were defeated under the lights.

The Germans dominated the action in the first third and were agonizingly close to taking the lead when Niklas Fullkrug hit the post.

The game remained balanced until the last quarter of an hour when Real Madrid star Dani Carvajal lofted Toni Kroos' corner kick and sent Real Madrid fans into raptures.

This goal took the wind out of Dortmund's sails and Carlo Ancelotti's team doubled their lead shortly afterwards.

A free pass from Ian Maatsen gave former Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham possession of the ball. His pass landed at Vinicius Jr. and the Brazilian secured the coveted trophy for the series winner.

Nacho Fernandez was the next player to immortalize himself in Real Madrid's rich history when the Spaniard won the famous prize in London.

Expected lineups

Real Madrid: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Valverde, Camavinga; Vinicius Jr., Bellingham, Mbappe.

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Gross, Can, Bynoe-Gittens, Brandt, Sabitzer; Guirassy.

Who is the referee?

The referee of the game is the Romanian referee István Kovács. He will be supported by Mihai Marica and George Florin Neacsu, while Marcel Birsan will be the fourth official. The VAR is Pol van Boekel and he is assisted by Erwin Blank.

What channel is Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund on?

Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund will be shown on TNT Sports 2 and Discovery+.

When is kick-off?

Kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu takes place at 8:00 p.m. BST on Tuesday 22 October 2024.

Opportunities

Real Madrid – 4/9

Draw – 17/4

Borussia Dortmund – 5/1

Read – Five big European games you can’t miss this week

Find out more – Five who played for both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund

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