Why Borussia Dortmund will win the Champions League
- Dortmund will face Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday
- Bundesliga side last reached tournament final in 2013
- Fixture will mark Marco Reus' last game for boyhood club
Borussia Dortmund will contest a Champions League final for the first time since 2013 when they face Real Madrid at Wembley on Saturday.
If the Bundesliga side are to defeat the Spanish giants, they will win the tournament for the first time in almost three decades - what would prove to be a huge achievement for head coach Edin Terzic.
They've had a remarkable run in Europe so far, and are now just one step away from claiming the grandest club silverware of all.
Without further ado, here are four reasons why Dortmund will defeat Madrid.
A Marco Reus farewell
When you think of Dortmund legends, Marco Reus instantly springs to mind. Saturday will mark his final game in a yellow and black shirt, 12 years after rejoining his boyhood side.
Reus will undoubtedly want to bow out in style, and there is certainly no better way to do that than delivering the team Champions League glory.
He's been plagued by constant injuries, and may not even get a minute on the pitch against Madrid, but the sheer brilliance of being a part of a team in the Champions League final at 35 is something to marvel.
Dortmund's desirable determination
BVB were dealt a tough set of fixtures throughout their Champions League journey, yet they prevailed at every stage and have rightfully earned their place in the final.
They were drawn into the 'group of death' with Ligue 1 champions Paris-Saint Germain, Serie A giants AC Milan and Premier League outfit Newcastle United. Dortmund faced an initial loss to PSG, but it did not stop them in their tracks, and the German side cleared the rest of their rivals, finishing at the top of the group.
After seeing off PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid, they were then forced to face PSG again in the semi-finals, but clung on to prevail 2-0 on aggregate.
Terzic's side have shown strength and determination throughout their entire European journey, and they can do so once again against Madrid.
Dortmund's defence could prove decisive
Defence may be Dortmund's superpower, and it may be what secures them the cup. Their backline is genuinely remarkable, conceding just nine goals during the tournament - the fewest of any team to make it past the quarter-final stage.
Much of BVB's success can be credited to their solid defence, especially when they managed to keep PSG at bay during the semi-final legs. Matt Hummels - who played in the 2013 final defeat to Bayern Munich - and Nico Schlotterbeck form an integral part of Dortmund's defence, and they will be desperate to impress on Saturday.
The last four Champions League finals have all ended 1-0, and if Dortmund can keep Madrid at arm's length, they may have a shot at glory down the other end.
Making up for Wembley heartbreak
The last time Dortmund ventured to Wembley for a Champions League final (their last two regular trips were defeats to Tottenham Hotspur when it was their temporary home, so that doesn't really count), they were under the management of Jurgen Klopp and were within reach of their second ever European title.
They were narrowly defeated by their rivals Bayern, with a late strike from Arjen Robben securing a 2-1 victory for the Bavarians.
Dortmund will, of course, return to this scene on Saturday desperate to avoid the same fate.
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