Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund : Rivalry Rekindled in CWC Showdown
Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund ; A new chapter will be added to the long-standing rivalry between Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund in the upcoming CWC quarterfinals. The Spanish side claimed a decisive 5-2 victory over Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League back in October 2024, following their 2-0 triumph in the 2023-24 Champions League final.
This fixture carries extra intrigue with Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso’s familiarity with German football, having managed Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen from October 2022 until the end of last season. His tactical insights from his time in Germany could prove vital in this high-stakes matchup.
Dortmund’s manager Niko Kovac acknowledged Alonso’s impact, noting, “We know him very well. His work in Germany was impressive, and now he brings those qualities to Madrid. We expect a similar style to what we faced at Leverkusen, just with different players.”
As anticipation builds, Real Madrid will rely on star forward Kylian Mbappe, who made his tournament return in the Round of 16 against Juventus after recovering from illness. Gonzalo Garcia stepped up in his absence, scoring three times in the tournament.
“We’re in good shape,” Alonso commented. “Beating Juventus gave us momentum. Facing Dortmund, a top European team and Champions League finalist, means we must deliver a strong performance.”
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Dortmund’s danger man, Serhou Guirassy, who netted twice in just 10 minutes against Monterrey, will be crucial to their hopes. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated sibling duel between Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid and his brother Jobe, who plays for Dortmund, won’t happen due to Jobe’s suspension for yellow-card accumulation.
“It’s going to be tough,” Jude Bellingham remarked. “They’ve made improvements since we last met. It promises to be an exciting contest.”
The winner of this intense fixture will progress to a semifinal showdown against either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in East Rutherford on Wednesday.
