A one-time member of the attacking ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona has on Friday tipped Real Madrid to fall to defeat in the upcoming finale of the Champions League.
Los Blancos, of course, are fresh off booking their spot in yet another European showcase occasion on Wednesday night.
After welcoming German heavyweights Bayern Munich to the Spanish capital for the 2nd leg of the semi-final tie between the clubs, Carlo Ancelotti’s troops found themselves a goal down, and headed out of the competition with a full 87 minutes on the clock.
Real Madrid’s ‘Champions League DNA’ soon shone through once more, however, a late brace on the part of super-sub Joselu enough to turn the clash and tie on its head in decisive fashion.
The capital giants will now be pitted against another of German football’s biggest clubs, in a Wembley Champions League final.
Borussia Dortmund, who put Paris Saint-Germain to the sword in thoroughly impressive fashion in their own semi-final tie, await Real in London on June 1st.
It is the latter who, for obvious reasons, will head into the matchup boasting favourite status, amid their ongoing dominance of European football.
And yet, one individual of the opinion that, when all is said and done, it is Dortmund who will emerge triumphant early next month comes in the form of Rivaldo.
Speaking as part of his role as ambassador for Betfair (as cited by Diario AS), former Barcelona frontman Rivaldo provided an insight into why he feels Edin Terzić’s underdogs should not be overlooked:
“I have been saying for a long time that the final would be Real Madrid – Borussia Dortmund. And I said that the champion would be Borussia. I think Madrid is the favorite, without a doubt, but Borussia is coming strong for the title, and has already shown that it knows how to play this competition, that it knows how to play difficult games. We saw it in the two games they played against PSG, winning the first leg and second leg of the semi-finals. Yes, Madrid is the favorite, but I think Dortmund will be champions.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
