Against All Odds: Lewandowski + Ronaldo = Goals

24Apr 2013

Bajnokok Ligája

Dortmund and Real Madrid meet in the Champions League semi-final live on Sky Sports Two at 19:45 and Paul Robinson thinks that like last night's semi, there will be more than three goals.

Borussia Dortmund may have had a disappointing time of it in the Bundesliga - 20 points adrift of Bayern Munich in the defence of their title - they have had an excellent European campaign. After being drawn with both Real Madrid and Manchester City in the group phase, they were third favourites to qualify. Six games later though they were undefeated and through to the last 16 as group winners.

Jurgen Klopp's side then cruised past Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 on aggregate and while they weren't at their best against Malaga in the quarters, they somehow came through. Their record at Westfalenstadion is excellent - five wins from five - and while I actually think Real Madrid are the value bet in the match-odds market, I can definitely see BVB scoring.

Robert Lewandowski spearheads the attack and the Polish striker has scored 31 times in all competitions this term, including six in the Champions League. He is supported by the talented trio of Marco Reus, Jakub Błaszczykowski and Mario Goetze, and while the latter might be affected by his imminent move to rivals Bayern, the quartet will cause the Spanish defence plenty of problems.

Real Madrid lost here during the group phase by two goals to one and they could only draw 2-2 at the Bernabeu. They are in much better form now though and the players seem to be playing for the manager - well the ones who are getting the nod anyway.

Jose Mourinho is likely to leave during the summer and there is nothing he'd like more than to lift his third Champions League on his way out. His team knocked out Galatasaray 6-2 on aggregate in the quarters and Manchester United 3-2 in the last 16. In Ronaldo he has one of the greatest ever players at his disposal and the Portuguese winger already has 11 goals to his name in this competition this season.

These two clubs have a stronger attack than defence and while it is only the first leg, I can see plenty of goals. Dortmund will know that they need a result on home soil to stand any chance of making the final and Madrid will be desperate for an away goal or two. That's why, with under 3.5 goals trading around the 1.56 mark, I have to make it my lay of the day.