18 Yard Box has a look at the different areas on the pitch
where the battles could be won.
London is all set to welcome the two German giants. Borussia
Dormund take on Bayern Munich for claiming the bragging rights of being the
best team in Europe. With London all set
to be replaced by a mini-Germany tonight, 18 Yard Box’s Rishabh Ghai takes a
look at the three important battles which might be turn the game around.
Robert Lewandowski v/s Dante
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Robert Lewandowski became the only player to score 4 goals in a Champions League semi-final when he dismantled Jose Mourinho’s white army. Coming off age this season, Lewandowski has scored a fantastic 35 goals in all competitions out of which 10 have come in the Champions League. Agile and crafty, Lewandowski’s movements inside and as well as outside the box have been a constant threat for the opponents. Decent in the air, the 24 year old possesses almost all the weapons in his armoury to terrorise Neuer’s goal. He, alongwith Reus and Blaszczykowski, has formed a formidable front three for Dortmund. However, Lewandowski's path to glory would be challenged by the mighty Brzilian Dante. The 29 year old Brazilian, unlike his other international team mates, has been less erratic and stern at the back. The injury to Holger Badstuber left Bayern in a spot of bother early this season. However, Dante has done well to step up and seal his place in the starting XI. He, alongiwth Boateng or Van Buyten, has done well to keep 4 clean sheets in the previous 4 matches. His height gives him the advantage to defend long balls and his calmness at the back helps in making right decisions most of the time. His long balls up front for Mario Mandzukic has given Bayern a Plan B in attack. However, keeping Lewandowski under his control would require a lot from the defender. Tracking the Poland striker's movements and making crunching tackles is what Dante would be expected off especially after the Madrid game where Lewandowski had a free run at the white army defence without having to face a single tackle. He has done well to keep Dortmund at bay this season in most of their face offs and the Bayern defence will once again look up to him and Boateng to do the job. |
Iikay Gundogan v/s Javi Martinez
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Games are usually decided in midfield and this one seems to be heading the same direction. The two midfield generals have done fantastic for their respective teams this season and they will now face off to nullify each other. Martinez’s midfield ability describes him as a ‘complete’ midfielder. The Spain Internaitional has done wonders to the Bayern midfield. Sitting alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez provides a shield to the Bayern defence. His awareness for spotting opponents’ runs has seen him make a staggering 39 interceptions in the Champions League alone. He was the unsung hero in the semi finals where he cut off the spaces which Barcelona usually look to exploit. However, tonight he goes against Iikay Gundogan, the new German starlwart. Ever since the departure of Shinji Kagawa, Dormtund have had to shuffle their midfield. It’s been Mario Goetze who has filled that void and Iikay Gundogan has been given the responsibility to control the strings of the Dortmund midfield. The 24 year old German International can be categorised as a deep lying play maker much of the mould of Pirlo. He has done brilliant in the position given to him. His ball holding skills coupled with his passing abilities makes him a tough opponent for Javi Martinez. Martinez needs to be aware as Gundogan would be handed the job of spraying the passes to the wings in the Klopp’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Going into this one Martinez has already passed the test of keeping Xavi under control and would look to do the same with his German counterpart. However, Gundogan with his young legs could very well trouble the former Athletic Bilbao man. |
Mats Hummels v/s Mario Mandzukic
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Described as the best defender in the world, Mats Hummels has certainly been the MVP for the Dortmund side. And this time around he would be given the job of marking the in-form Bavarian striker Mario Mandzukic. Hummels has been quite vital for the Dortmund side this season. Having made 106 clearances in the Champions League alongside Neven Subotic’s 133, Hummels has forged a a brilliant partnership with the Serbian international. Excellent awareness, physical strength and a great heading ability makes him an all round defender. Not only defending, Hummels has also been responsible in making Dormund play from the back which has seen him playing in front of the midfielders at time. His vision and passing abilities slots him into the category of one of the new generation of modern defenders. However, Hummels will be up against Mario Mandzukic of Bayern Munich. The striker has been in sultry form this season and has overshadowed the presence of Mario Gomez. Gomez, who was the top scorer for Bayern in the last edition of the Champions League, has been told to be happy with a place on the bench in Madzukic’s presence. Mandzukic’s excellent movement sees him get to brilliant places from where he can create a goal scoring opportunity. He can be seen as a goal-poachers and a as a true centre forward. However, Mandzukic will have trouble holding up play if Hummels is on his heels and could lose out in this battle. Hummels though, will have to be weary of not wandering too much forward as Bayern would look to exploit this space should he find himself in alien territory. |
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International, contributor for AIS and a writer and editor for 18 Yard Box.
Follow Rishabh Ghai on Twitter
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