Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has expressed his support for Real Madrid to clinch their 15th UEFA Champions League title, following their victory over Borussia Dortmund in this Saturday’s final (June 1).
Real Madrid, who secured their last Champions League victory with a narrow 1-0 triumph against Liverpool in the 2022 final, are enjoying an impressive season.
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The team has celebrated winning the La Liga championship and the Supercopa de Espana, amassing an impressive tally of 41 victories with only two losses in a total of 54 matches.
Borussia Dortmund, managed by Edin Terzic, ended the 2023-24 Bundesliga season in fifth place, trailing the champions Bayer Leverkusen by 27 points.
Their current season’s record stands at 27 wins, 12 draws, and 10 defeats out of 49 contests in all competitions.
During a chat on TNT Sports, Ferdinand was asked to predict the scoreline of the upcoming game. He responded (X/@MadridXtra): “2-0 [to] Real Madrid.”
Real Madrid, having triumphed over the English title-holders Manchester City and the formidable Bayern Munich en route to the final, hold an impressive record in their UEFA encounters with Dortmund.
Out of 14 matches against the team from Signal Iduna Park, they have emerged victorious in six and faced defeat in three.
In an interview with Sport Bild, Borussia Dortmund’s defender Mats Hummels voiced criticism of BVB manager Edin Terzic’s defensive strategy in the lead-up to their match against Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old replied when asked to speak on his team’s losses vs VfB Stuttgart (h/t OneFootball): “I was furious because I was of the opinion that Borussia Dortmund shouldn’t play like that, against any opponent in the world.
“I didn’t think it could go like that. I felt insulted in my honor to stand on the pitch in that kit. [We were] so submissive, so inferior in footballing terms. The two Stuttgart games and the away game in [Bayer] Leverkusen. That was barricading with 11 men in the box.”
Hummels, who failed to guide BVB to European glory in 2013, said: “I gave a lot of suggestions. Yes, really to everyone involved. Just to try and play better football again.
“I went to the coach’s office and we talked with the clear opinion that we have to improve in the forward play. It clearly got better after the winter break.”
