Champions League Final

So this weekend we have the all German final of Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich, both teams have done well to get to the final, beating a half of the El Classico each.

The biggest news for the final so far is Mario Gotze is going to miss it through injury. This avoids what would have been one of the most interesting stories going into the final with it being Gotze's last game before moving to Munich.

What are everybody's predictions? I think Bayern will finally win the final 2-1, in extra time.

As much as I want Dortmund to win, I can't see them beating this Bayern side. 3 - 1 to munich.

2-0 Munich, rather one-sided final as well I think. Gotze out is pretty much the hammer blow to Dortmund's chances.

Yeah I agree that Gotze being out is a huge blow to Dortmund. I like Grosskrutz (or however you spell it), but he simply isn't close to Gotze's level.

I think it'll be close, but it's hard to see past Munich.

Therefore I will say Dortmund will win 2-1.

Because my logic is never right

Dortmund winning would be epic!!! Also i said there my bold pick back in September, so ill get a cheeky £5 of my mate at work if they win!

Bayern will win though i recon, just can't see past them winning tbh and i recon they will be more up for it than ever, after last year's disaster.

Mario Gotze missing is massive in my opinion. When they went to Madrid with Grosskeutz they just did not look the same, especially down the left. Lewandowski needs the creativity and without it he struggles to get into the game, therefore extra pressure on Reus who's still young.

Can see Munich actually doing a real professional job on Dortmund and putting to bed the memories from last years final. 3-1 Munich for me.

Dortmund need to start fast and get Bayerns players thinking back to the last 2 CLs finals they were in and turned up at half speed.

If Bayern get a stranglehold on the game early they'll likely close it out.

Check the bottom bet on this

https://www.unibet.com/betting#/group/1000093381/category/2452

Don't write off Dortmund, when they won the Champs League nobody gave them a chance against Juventus - not the dead cert a lot of people might think. Oh and good odds at 7/2 on Dortmund

I want to know why Wembley gets to host this 2 out of the last 3 finals?

lorus59 wrote:I want to know why Wembley gets to host this 2 out of the last 3 finals?

I believe the FA has an anniversary of some sort. Also the 2011 final was one of the best ran

The TV camera position at Wembley sucks so for the billions of people watching around the world on TV, it's a bad choice. Last year at the Allianz Arena, it sucked for that reason too.

Dortmund have done pretty well against Bayern recently ain't they?

Anyways Bayern are the ones with the most pressure on. Expected to win, clear favourites, however having lost there last 2 finals, last years one in pretty much exactly the same position (nobody gave Chelsea a chance), it'll be interesting to see what Dortmund and Klopp can pull off!

Bayern have beaten Dortmund twice this season on a low margin 2-1, 1-0 i think while the other times the two have drawn.

Hoping Dortmund win but in reality looks like Bayern will.

I think they're unbeaten in the league against them the past 3 seasons. I don't think Gotze is a massive loss to them considering he was injured for most of last season (although it might have been the season before?). The odds on Dortmund are ridiculous but then again would you go against the Bayern juggernaut who are possibly about to do the treble?

Me and my work discussing the final at work earlier and we were thinking is there a single football fan in England who actually wants Bayern to win?

Seeing as they beat Arsenal and Barcelona, the Man Utd fans probably

Let's just pray it doesn't go to pens, it could be a very long evening otherwise.

The Special Juan wrote:Seeing as they beat Arsenal and Barcelona, the Man Utd fans probably

Im a united fan and im back dortmund so thats probs wrong lol

Fair enough. No one likes Bayern then I'll try and be neutral for the final and therefore I'll enjoy it more. On saying that, it might be an awful game!!

I'd like to see Bayern win, I think it'd cement them as one of the best European sides of the past 20 years, rather than them being remembered as the 'nearly men'.

The 97 Dortmund team have all been invited to the final I think?

Well Lambert is definately there with the fans in London at the moment, and watched them train with Klopp last night! I still think he'll end up managing there one day...

Olly wrote:The 97 Dortmund team have all been invited to the final I think?

Well Lambert is definately there with the fans in London at the moment, and watched them train with Klopp last night! I still think he'll end up managing there one day...

Pretty sure they have, Murdo MacLeod is down as well according to Sportsound and they can keep him as far as I'm concerned

I can see it going into extra time. 1-1 after 90 minutes then toss a coin.

GSC wrote:

lorus59 wrote:I want to know why Wembley gets to host this 2 out of the last 3 finals?

I believe the FA has an anniversary of some sort. Also the 2011 final was one of the best ran

UEFA or Platini himself won't admit it but Wembley really gets their juices flowing. It ticks all the boxes.

I'd guess they'll be another 3 more finals there within the next decade.

FreekShow wrote:

GSC wrote:

lorus59 wrote:I want to know why Wembley gets to host this 2 out of the last 3 finals?

I believe the FA has an anniversary of some sort. Also the 2011 final was one of the best ran

UEFA or Platini himself won't admit it but Wembley really gets their juices flowing. It ticks all the boxes.

I'd guess they'll be another 3 more finals there within the next decade.

Along with 1 in Qatar, Zimbabwe and Narnia.

They wont for a while. Its just for the FAs anniversary

The Special Juan wrote:

FreekShow wrote:

GSC wrote:

lorus59 wrote:I want to know why Wembley gets to host this 2 out of the last 3 finals?

I believe the FA has an anniversary of some sort. Also the 2011 final was one of the best ran

UEFA or Platini himself won't admit it but Wembley really gets their juices flowing. It ticks all the boxes.

I'd guess they'll be another 3 more finals there within the next decade.

Along with 1 in Qatar, Zimbabwe and Narnia.

Utopia, Mars and my back garden are also being considered Juan. I have a lovely bush.

FreekShow wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:

FreekShow wrote:

GSC wrote:

lorus59 wrote:I want to know why Wembley gets to host this 2 out of the last 3 finals?

I believe the FA has an anniversary of some sort. Also the 2011 final was one of the best ran

UEFA or Platini himself won't admit it but Wembley really gets their juices flowing. It ticks all the boxes.

I'd guess they'll be another 3 more finals there within the next decade.

Along with 1 in Qatar, Zimbabwe and Narnia.

Utopia, Mars and my back garden are also being considered Juan. I have a lovely bush.

That could be misconstrued!!

I do think we'll see the CL final back at Wembley at least once more before the decade is out, maybe twice. I don't think there are many neutral stadiums in Europe that can match it.

£5 on Lewandowski to score anytime tonight

I wanna say that's my lot, but i can't promise anything!

Hard to see past Bayern. 3rd times the charm and you get the feeling they'll close out Dortmund

Yeah i can see Bayern being 2 up at half time personally and that's game set and match.

Gotze missing is huge, upsets the balance, normal rhythm and familiarity of the main front three and reduces the creative side of the team. Don't expect much from Grosskreutz, who against Madrid couldn't even pass to yellow shirts. Also puts more pressure on Reus, who will be heavily marked to perform. I just see Bayern being too professional tonight, players like Robben & Ribery probably know this is near their last chance for another go at winning this with this club. Big changes at the club next year and the style wanted by Pep, therefore they will want to end it properly and efficiently against, lets face it, the club they beat domestically with ease in the league and is missing a key player.

3-1 Munich.

Wonder how much Sky paid to get Franz in!!

The Special Juan wrote:Wonder how much Sky paid to get Franz in!!

Love it when they get a legend onboard.

EDIT: He's only gone and left now!

I wonder where Red Nev did his techno badges? He's a dab hand with that touchscreen.

FreekShow wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Wonder how much Sky paid to get Franz in!!

Love it when they get a legend onboard.

EDIT: He's only gone and left now!

And Jamie Redknapp isn't?

I love a good legend, but as you say, he's effed off

Yeah I think bayern are just too strong for a weakened Dortmund team.

How fit is Hummels? (Actually, don't answer that)

What is the current state of Mats Hummels' injury?

Ah that Barcelona dismantling will live with me for years.

The Special Juan wrote:How fit is Hummels? (Actually, don't answer that)

What is the current state of Mats Hummels' injury?

He's fit to play.

The Special Juan wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:How fit is Hummels? (Actually, don't answer that)

What is the current state of Mats Hummels' injury?

He's fit to play.

Thanks, how do you know?

The Special Juan wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:How fit is Hummels? (Actually, don't answer that)

What is the current state of Mats Hummels' injury?

He's fit to play.

Thanks, how do you know?

Sky told me.

They say it's the first sign of madness Juan. Do you see dead people?

Teams for tonight:

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer, Bender, Gundogan, Blaszczykowski, Reus, Grosskreutz, Lewandowski. Subs: Langerak, Kehl, Leitner, Sahin, Kirch, Schieber, Felipe Santana.

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Mandzukic. Subs: Starke, Van Buyten, Shaqiri, Pizarro, Gustavo, Gomez, Tymoschuk.

The benefits of home-grown football coming home to roost for the Germans, two very strong sides. 2-0 Munich.

FreekShow wrote:They say it's the first sign of madness Juan. Do you see dead people?

Yes. Yes I do. Nice picture, by the way.

Of the 22 starters, 11 are German. Home grown football to an extent, but 50% of the players are foreign!

Got three bets on the game, Dortmund 2-1, Dortmund to win and Lewondowski to score anytime. Really hope they do can get the victory tonight just to see the Bayern players looking devastated again.

Schweinsteigers done himself an injury

Just saw that, has suffered ankle injuries in the past. Hopefully it's not to serious as he is a special player on his day and great to watch.