Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund

One of the peak fixtures of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Gameweek 3 pits Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund against each other at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in a repeat of last season’s final.

Real Madrid got the better of the German powerhouse 2-0 at Wembley Stadium to lift a record-extending 15th Champions League crown, making it three consecutive H2H victories following a three-match barren run (D2, L1). However, Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded squad found themselves in unfamiliar territory in the previous round when Lille edged them 1-0 to halt their 14-game unbeaten streak in the Champions League. There’s nothing the impending home return cannot fix as Los Blancos boast an intimidating 14-match undefeated run in the Champions League matches at the Bernabeu since April 2022 (W11, D3). The abovementioned slump in France served as a wake-up call for the reigning La Liga champions, who have since won back-to-back league encounters against Celta Vigo and Villarreal via an aggregate score of 4-1.

Like their hosts, Borussia Dortmund enjoyed a triumphant weekend in the Bundesliga, netting on either side of halftime to beat minnows St. Pauli 2-1 at home. Signal Iduna Park formed the backdrop for Dortmund’s historic 7-1 thrashing of Celtic in the last Champions League round. Additionally, Nuri Sahin’s men were relentless on their opening European travel this season, demolishing Club Brugge 3-0 on matchday one. They’ll need another spotless performance to post their first-ever H2H win in Madrid (D2, L5), with confidence spawning from their inspiring six-game form in Champions League away action (W4, D1, L1). Ominously for ‘Die Borussen,’ the only blemish on this near-flawless record arrived in the Spanish capital against Real’s fierce rivals Atletico Madrid in last season’s quarter-finals.