The Champions league final has finally arrived with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich renewing their rivalry at the Wembley Stadium.
Both sides enter this match with a number of different storylines and pressures. Munich is looking to atone for last year's late collapse against Chelsea in the final. Dortmund is looking to win its second of only two Champions league final appearances; the team won in 1997.
"We're in danger of picking up a reputation as losers," Munich forward Thomas Müller said a few weeks ago. That sentiment has pervaded the team over the last few weeks.
"For me personally, the loss last year only served to give me more motivation for this season," Müller added. "It would have been great to have won last year at home, for our fans, but for us it's important to win the title, not where we win it. This season we seem to play better abroad anyway."
"It's nice to play finals, but you also need to win," noted Dutchman Arjen Robben. "Last year was very disappointing."
"We are mentally very strong and we have this clear target to win every match. In all my years as coach, I have never seen players so focused, not influenced by outside things. After such a disappointment last year we bounced back and are playing such a great season," added Bayern Coach Jupp Heynckes.
Meanwhile, the Borussia sentiment has been one of hope. Coach Jurgen Klopp has quietly played up his team's underdog status, possibly as a means of putting more pressure on his opponents.
"If we win, we are not the best team in the world, but have beaten the best team in the world," said Klopp during a press conference a few weeks ago. "We are not confident. But we've got the chance to win and that's what we want to do."
"Even from a distance, the club's progress looks like a fairy tale since 2008," Klopp added.
Mario Gotze will not play in the final for Borussia Dortmund.
Read Why Bayern Munich Will Win HERE.
Read Why Borussia Dortmund will win HERE.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund will pull off the upset with a 2-1 win.
Start Time: 2:45 PM EST
TV: Fox Soccer Channel
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