Champions League
2013-04-30 - Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Champions League
Tuesday 30 April 2013 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Real Madrid
This could be the key moment of Jose Mourinho's tenure at Real Madrid as he looks to take the club to the Final for the first time since 2002. Real Madrid have fallen short at the Semi Final stage in each of the last two seasons that Mourinho has been at the club and they are going to have to do something special if they are to overturn a 4-1 deficit from the first leg in Germany.
The only saving grace for Real Madrid fans will be the fact that they have at least returned home with one away goal, especially as they have scored the required three goals to make up the deficit in 8 of their last 11 home games in the Champions League including in 3 of their 5 home games this season. However, the fans can't get overly excited as Real Madrid have only had 1 clean sheet in their last 9 home games in this competition, that coming in the last Round against Galatasaray.
Real Madrid have already lost their grip on the La Liga title and they could soon only have the Copa Del Rey to play for. However, they picked up some confidence from their 1-2 win at local rivals Atletico Madrid at the weekend, and will also point to the fact that they have won their last 6 home games in all competitions since drawing with Manchester United in the Second Round.
Jose Mourinho made a host of changes for the game at the weekend and most of the big names will be back. The most important is the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to training and he will be in the starting line up for this one.
Borussia Dortmund
It is going to be a big summer for Borussia Dortmund as they are likely to see a few of their bigger names leave the club and that means the window for winning the Champions League may just be closing. Despite a healthy advantage, Jurgen Klopp is making sure his side remain focused and not allow complacency to slip into their game.
Borussia Dortmund remain the only team in this competition that are unbeaten through their 11 games to reach the Semi Final second leg and maintaining that will book their place at Wembley next month. They have only won 1 of their 5 away games in the Champions League, but drawing at Real Madrid, Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk is no disgrace, especially with the performances they provided.
Like Real Madrid, Dortmund will not be the Champions of their domestic League this season as they give up the title to rivals Bayern Munich. However, they have not dropped their heads and let their form slide and come into this game having been unbeaten in 9 and having won 6 in a row. Dortmund have won 3 of their last 4 away games in all competitions and they haven't conceded 3 goals in their last 20 away games.
Lukasz Piszczek will need to pass a late fitness test to determine his availability for this game.
Head to Head
Borussia Dortmund have already drawn 2-2 here this season and a repeat would see them through to the Final.
Real Madrid have won 2 previous home games against Dortmund, but neither came by a margin that would be satisfactory to get through in this Semi Final.
Prediction
It is tough to see anything but an all-German Champions League Final after the events of last week.
However, Real Madrid will want to restore some pride at the very least although their lack of clean sheets is a concern. On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund are a little vulnerable at the back and another high-scoring game looks in the offing.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Real Madrid 3-2 Borussia Dortmund
