Real Madrid faces a tricky assignment in the Champions League tonight as they travel to Germany to take on reigning Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5:30am AEST.
Dortmund and Madrid have each experienced solid starts to their Champions League campaign and will be keen to earn a victory tonight to further cement their place in the knockout stages.
After a poor start to the La Liga season, Madrid have managed to steady the ship somewhat and are beginning to showcase the form that has many pundits believing that this could indeed be the campaign where the Spanish giants finally register their 10th Champions League crown.
Madrid currently sits on top of their group with six points after winning their opening two games. Dortmund meanwhile is only two points behind courtesy of a win against Ajax and a deserved draw against Manchester City.
While their domestic form has been poor by their lofty standards, Dortmund has played well in the Champions League thus far and will be keen to lift tonight in front of their home fans.
Prediction
This should be a fascinating contest between two teams who are blessed with creative attacking options.
For Dortmund, all eyes will be on young German sensation Mario Gotze who has been earmarked by many as one of the finest young playmakers in world football.
With such high praise bestowed upon the young German, it will be interesting to see how he performs against a Madrid defence marshalled by likes of Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa and Marcelo.
Gotze however will not be the only player causing Madrid’s defence problems tonight with Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski also capable of causing havoc upfront.
While Dortmund should not have trouble creating chances tonight, stopping Madrid from scoring goals of their own will prove immensely difficult.
After a shaky start to the year, Cristiano Ronaldo has hit top form for Los Blancos, scoring a hat trick against Ajax in Madrid’s last Champions League win.
Dortmund will also need to find a way to shut down inform stars Mesut Ozil, Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Kaka.
The preceding players are all in the top echelon of attacking stars in world football and will tear Dortmund apart if the home side commits too many players forward tonight.
Overall this could very well end up being one of the matches of the Champions League group stages given the firepower and attacking creativity that both teams possess.
Pound for pound however, Madrid still has a decisive edge in attack so expect Ronaldo and company to once again lead Los Blancos to an exciting victory
Prediction: Dortmund 2 – Madrid 3
Alan
Roar Guru
After a sluggish first half, Dortmund have secured a terrific 2-1 victory against Madrid. Both teams had numerous chances to score goals but Madrid in particular were very wasteful with many of their shots going well wide of the target. Despite not dominating possession, Dortmund were more clinical with the ball and punished Madrid dearly for their defensive errors with Lewandoski and Schmelzer scoring off bad errors from Pepe and Casillas respectively. Ronaldo responded with a fine finish in the first half but it was not enough to deny Dortmund a valuable and deserved win at home. Thanks for joining us this morning and we look forward to your company next time on The Roar Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Dortmund with another freekick as Essien clears well. Ronaldo bullied off the ball but he does win the freekick in the midfield. Madrid with one last chance here to secure an equaliser. Hummels heads clear yet again. Di Maria with another cross but Pepe misses the ball with the attempted header Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Ramos delivers now but Dortmund win the goalkick and are well on course to securing a huge win that will almost secure their passage into the next round. Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Di Maria with another delivery tries to find Higuain but Dortmund clear well. Madrid are pressing though as Ozil finds Modric. Di Maria with another nice cross but Hummels heads away yet again expertly. Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Di Maria with a low cross but its blocked well. Modric now with a nice run finds Di Maria who crosses in now but Essien heads wide and Dortmund are off the hook. Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - Di Maria dribbles well and tries to find Higuain but the Argentine forward fails to control the pass from his team-mate. Dortmund clear yet again. Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
87' - Pepe intercepts a low cross and Dortmund win another corner. Time running out for Madrid here SUB DORTMUND - Gotze comes off for Scheiber Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Dortmund still on the attack as both teams struggle to retain possession in the midfield. Madrid build from the back now as Di Maria does well to control an Alonso lob. Di Maria with another shot high and wide and Dortmund win the goalkick Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Essien finds Alonso now as Madrid press for the equaliser. Di Maria with a poor pass and Dortmund yet again clear. Dortmund back on the attack now with Gotze Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Madrid go on the countter attack here as Ozil finds Ronaldo outwide who crosses in but fails to find Di Maria who was unmarked in the area. Let off for Dortmund Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Dortmund appeal for another penalty as Alonso brings down Reus. Corner though for Dortmund but its a poor delivery. Madrid clear now but Dortmund are still attacking here as they dominate possession Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
81' - Dortmund back on the attack as they win possession yet again in the midfield against a Madrid team that has struggled to string passes together tonight Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Great cross from Di Maria but its met by a terrific punch from the keeper. Great punch as Madrid win another corner. Play is paused however as a fan makes his way onto the pitch. Play resumes and its another terrific delivery as Ronaldo nearly latches on to the cross with the header Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Pepe gives away possession again and nearly concedes a penalty but gets away with it. Higuain upfront now with possession and he wins the corner but Pepe is having an awful night at the back in possession Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Essien nearly through but Dortmund clear and go on the counter attack but waste a great opportunity as the shot goes wide of the near post. Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Gundogun with sharp feet here beats several defenders before being fouled and Dortmund build from the back now. Pepe heads away now and clears and Di Maria is in space now but Dortmund defend well Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Dortmund build from the back here as the keeper clears possession. Casillas now passes straight to Pepe and Madrid control possession now with 15 minutes remaining here Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
SUB MADRID - Benzema is off for Higuain 74' - Good delivery by Ozil but Hummels clears well. Modric though called back for offside when he wasn't. Bad call from the linesman because Modric was in space Dortmund 2 Madrid 1
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Poor delivery by Dortmund here as Madrid clear and now attack with Di Maria. Ronaldo with possession passes back to Ozil. Di Maria with a good delivery into the area and nearly finds Ronaldo but Dortmund clear well and concede the corner Dortmund 2 Madrid 1