Borussia Dortmund: Champions League team analysis

21 May 2013 00:47

Borussia Dortmund are aiming to win the European cup for the second time in their history in Saturday's Champions League final at Wembley against Bayern Munich.

AFP Sports looks at the players bidding to take the cup back to Westfalenstadion.

GOALKEEPER

1. Roman Weidenfeller (GER)

Dortmund's goalkeeper for more than a decade, the 33-year-old has never played for Germany, but has a reputation for few mistakes and captain's the side when Kehl is not in the team. He has extended his contract to stay at Dortmund until 2016.

DEFENDERS

27. Felipe Santana (BRA)

The quarter-final hero at home to Malaga when he stabbed home the winning goal in a 3-2 aggregate triumph. The centre-back could feature if Hummels' ankle injury flares up.

15. Mats Hummels (GER)

Germany's centre-back and Dortmund's key defender has been caught out in the past for both club and country, noticeably last Saturday when his poorly timed challenge conceded a penalty in the 2-1 shock defeat to Hoffenheim. He limped off with an ankle injury, but should be fit for the final.

22. Patrick Owomoyela (GER)

At 33, the ex-Germany defender has made only two appearances for Dortmund's reserves and was limited to only 11 games in the 2011-12 double-winning season, mainly off the bench.

26. Lukasz Piszczek (POL)

Part of Dortmund's Polish trio along with Lewandowski and Blaszczykowski, Piszczek has been an ever-present at right-back since his arrival from Hertha Berlin in June 2010. Scored a stunning volley against Arsenal last season.

29. Marcel Schmelzer (GER)

Dortmund and Germany's left-back is consistent and scored the winner in Dortmund's 2-1 group stage win over Real Madrid.

4. Neven Subotic (SRB)

A fans' favourite, having famously joined a street party to celebrate last season's league victory, shirt off and singing Borussia songs at the top of his voice. Solid in defence and dangerous from corners.

MIDFIELDERS

6. Sven Bender (GER)

The twin brother of Bayer Leverkusen's Lars, the 24-year-old is a midfield warrior for Dortmund alongside either Kehl or Gundogan. Sure to add to his three caps for Germany, he will join the national team's USA tour after the final.

16. Jakub Blaszczykowski (POL)

Is enjoying one of his best season's at the club after six years and is a constant threat on the right-wing. Hard working and quick on the counter-attack.

10. Mario Goetze (GER)

Still only 20, the Germany star turned Dortmund villan when news broke before the semi-final that he has actioned a release clause to join Bayern for 37 million euros next month. Silky-skilled and fleet-footed, it is Goetze's eye for the killer pass which Bayern crave and Dortmund will miss. Hoping to make the final after tearing a hamstring against Real.

8. Ilkay Gundogan (GER)

The defensive midfielder has enjoyed a break-through season for club and country and Dortmund have struggled without his smooth passes in attack and solid defence. Is Klopp's first choice alongside either Kehl or Bender.

5. Sebastian Kehl (GER)

In his 12th season at the club and has signed a year's extension until the end of the 2013/14 campaign. At 33, he is showing signs of slowing down, but is still a calming influence and is Klopp's captain when fit.

7. Moritz Leitner (GER)

Has been linked to a move to newly-promoted Hertha Berlin and regularly comes off the bench, the 20-year-old is being groomed by Klopp for the future... providing he stays.

11. Marco Reus (GER)

Reus has slotted into Dortmund's counter-pressing system, produces deadly passes and is a proven goal-scorer. His linking up with Goetze helped Borussia reach final.

18. Nuri Sahin (TUR)

Back at Dortmund after spells at Real Madrid and Liverpool, the Turkey star was key to the 2010-11 league title win and the 24-year-old played 15 of the 17 games since his return in January.

FORWARDS

9. Robert Lewandowski (POL)

His four goals in the semi-final against Real Madrid underlined the 24 he has scored in the Bundesliga this term, including a club record 12 in consecutive league matches. Has refused to sign a contract extension and with his deal to expire in 2014, has said he will reveal future after the final.

23. Julian Schieber (GER)

Lewandowski's back-up has managed three goals in 23 games, 17 off the bench, but will only feature at Wembley is there is an injury.

MANAGER

Jurgen Klopp

Coach since July 2008, Klopp introduced Dortmund's counter-pressing system which saw them win last season's league and cup double. A TV pundit with a big personality, Klopp is under contract until 2016, but speaks good English and has already been linked to Premier League clubs.

Source: AFP