Ahead of the Champions League Final this Saturday we have compiled a list of the key battles to watch out for during the all German clash. There's alot of speculation over players futures during the summer but lets just sit back and enjoy the two top teams in the the Bundesliga going at it for the ultimate prize in European football.
DANTE v ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
Dante has been a revelation at the heart of the Bayern defence this season and one of the keys to their runaway title success has been down to the platform provided by a back four which concedes little more than a goal every two games. But whilst Dante has had a wonderful campaign, he will need to be at the very top of his game against a player rated the best striker in Europe – just ask Real Madrid who Lewandowski took apart virtually single-handed in the semis. The Pole is being courted by all and sundry and his market value could rise even higher on Saturday night.
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER v MARIO GOTZE
Schweinsteiger has been described as Bayern's ‘beating heart’ and he could be the busiest man on the Wembley pitch as he looks to combine his dual role of keeping Gotze quiet whilst acting as his side’s playmaker. A tall order, but the experienced Schweinsteiger has the ability and the engine to affect the game at both ends of the pitch. The pair will be lining up alongside each other for Bayern next season, but 20-year-old Gotze will be keen to show Bayern just why he was worth a German record 37million Euro transfer with a masterclass at Wembley, where he will be out to heap more European Cup misery on his future employers.
MARIO MANDZUKIC v NEVEN SUBOTIC
For Bayern v Borussia read Croatia v Serbia as Mario Mandzukic and Neven Subotic put their different qualities to the test and on the line on the biggest stage in European football. Bayern’s Croatian striker Mandzukic has scored more than 20 goals already this season, and he is the perfect ally for strike partner Thomas Muller as well as wide providers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. But Mandzukic will not have it all his own way against the 24-year-old Serb whose stock has itself risen this season, with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City among the many admirers of his defensive qualities.
More Champions League head-to-heads later here as we continue to the countdown to Saturday’s Wembley showdown.
Source: DSG
