A major showdown awaits football fans this Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu. After the second day of group stage play in September, the Champions League returns with several high-stakes matches. Before facing FC Barcelona in El Clasico on Saturday, Real Madrid will host Borussia Dortmund, in a rematch of last season’s Champions League final. The stakes are high for both teams in this clash.
Real Madrid faces immense pressure following their shocking 1-0 loss to Lille on September 2, while Nuri Sahin’s Borussia Dortmund is riding high and eager to continue their strong start in the competition. Currently at the top of the group with six points from two victories, Dortmund aims to maintain their winning streak and not give Real Madrid any opportunity to slow them down. Although it’s not a direct revenge for the 2-0 defeat in the final last June, Dortmund is approaching the game with caution.
Ahead of the trip to Spain, Borussia Dortmund’s coach Nuri Sahin has made a significant decision. According to BILD Sport, Sahin has chosen not to conduct his team’s training session on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu, fearing that Real Madrid could spy on their tactics. Instead, Borussia Dortmund will train in Germany before traveling to Madrid.
This precaution, confirmed by Marca, highlights just how crucial this game is for Dortmund, who are enjoying a fantastic season. In their first two Champions League matches, Dortmund has scored ten goals while conceding only one (3-0 against Bruges and 7-1 against Celtic). Carlo Ancelotti is well aware that Sahin, a former Real Madrid player from 2011-2014, will not take this game lightly.
After their poor performance against Lille, Real Madrid cannot afford another defeat. With only three points out of a possible six, they are currently 17th in the group, a position that does not guarantee qualification for the knockout stages. A loss against Dortmund on Tuesday would seriously jeopardize their title defense, especially with tough matches looming—hosting AC Milan on November 5 and traveling to face Liverpool at Anfield on November 27.
For Real Madrid, the trio of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Thibaut Courtois must secure all three points in this crucial third match against Dortmund. They will need to show that, despite Sahin’s concerns about spies, Real Madrid is fully capable of getting the result against the formidable German side.
This upcoming Champions League showdown between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at the Santiago Bernabeu is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the group stage, especially given its context. Dortmund, under the leadership of coach Nuri Sahin, has made an exceptional start, topping their group with six points after dominant performances. Their aggressive goal-scoring and solid defense, allowing only one goal in two games, highlight the threat they pose.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid is under immense pressure following their shocking defeat to Lille. With only three points from two matches, they cannot afford another slip-up, especially with challenging fixtures ahead against AC Milan and Liverpool. A loss to Dortmund would leave them in a precarious position, jeopardizing their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.
The tension is further heightened by Dortmund’s tactical decision to train in Germany rather than risk any spying from Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, showing just how seriously Sahin is taking this contest. As a former Real Madrid player, Sahin knows the environment well and aims to outwit his former club.
On Real Madrid’s side, star players like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Thibaut Courtois will need to step up. With their backs against the wall, these key figures must deliver if Real Madrid hopes to reignite their Champions League campaign and defend their title. Both teams are heading into this game with much at stake, and fans are likely to witness an intense battle on Tuesday.
