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Subotic: Dortmund are not afraid of Bayern Munich
Jul 19, 2012 11:39:00 AM
The Serbian centre-back believes the new campaign will provide the stiffest test of his side's credentials to date, but is backing Die Borussen to rise to the challenge
| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £48.00 | Draw £41.00 | Bayern £17.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £48.00 | Draw £33.00 | Bayern £18.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £45.00 | Draw £37.50 | Bayern £18.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £45.00 | Draw £40.00 | Bayern £18.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £45.00 | Draw £37.50 | Bayern £18.00 |
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BVB pipped the Bavarian giants to the league crown as well as the DFB-Pokal last term, but coach Jurgen Klopp has refused to target a third consecutive Bundesliga title, preferring to set Champions League qualification as his side's goal.
Subotic, 23, believes this in itself shows the increasing expectations at the Signal Iduna Park and insists that Dortmund do not fear Jupp Heynckes' big-spenders.
"We are not afraid of Bayern, but we respect them," he told Bild.
"We know that it will be the most difficult season for us. It is the first time we have proclaimed the goal of qualifying for the Champions League as our main target."
Wile Dortmund have brought in Marco Reus from Borussia Monchengladbach for €14.5 million, title rivals Bayern have reinforced their squad with a host of new talent including Dante, Xherdan Shaqiri, Claudio Pizarro, Tom Starke, Mitchell Weiser, Lukas Raeder and Mario Mandzukic.
However, Subotic is certain that the title fight will not be a two-horse race as there are other contenders for the Bundesliga crown, including Gladbach, Schalke, Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen.
Subotic, who joined Dortmund in 2008, also believes that his club's signing of German international Marco Reus will lessen the blow of losing star playmaker Shinji Kagawa to Manchester United.
The centre-back has backed Reus to make a big impact, along with fellow attacking midfielder Mario Gotze.
"Shinji has earned his contract with Manchester United through superior performances. But we have an extremely strong team. Marco Reus and Mario Gotze are world class."
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Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
6:40 PM BST
And now the Bayern line-up! The only small surprise here is that Jerome Boateng has been preferred to Daniel van Buyten alongside Dante at the heart of the defence. As expected, Mario Mandzukic has got the nod up front ahead of Mario Gomez.
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Dante, Boateng, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Mandzukic.
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Dante, Boateng, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Mandzukic.
6:36 PM BST
Borussia Dortmund have announced their starting line-up for tonight's Champions League final!! And it's as we predicted, with Kevin Grosskreutz starting on the left-hand side and Marco Reus moving infield to fill the void left by the injured Mario Gotze.
Dortmund XI v Bayern: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Gundogan, Bender; Blaszczykowski, Reus, Grosskreutz; Lewandowski.
Dortmund XI v Bayern: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Gundogan, Bender; Blaszczykowski, Reus, Grosskreutz; Lewandowski.
6:31 PM BST
Questions rolling in for our own Carlo Garganese over on Twitter, the most left-field of which comes 'I'm Moeg, Sien jy! @MurGyver 34s', who writes:
"Is it true that players can't wear underwear in the final?"
Surely you have to log on now for no other reason than to find out the answer to that cracking enquiry?!
"Is it true that players can't wear underwear in the final?"
Surely you have to log on now for no other reason than to find out the answer to that cracking enquiry?!
6:26 PM BST
Bayern have arrived at Wembley! The legendary Lothar Mattheus will obviously be cheering on die Roten this evening, but he is just hoping that Fussball is the winner tonight:
"The whole world will watch the game," the World Cup winner told Sky Sport Germany. "It electrifies the masses. Never before there was so much talk about a Champions League final than this time.
"Both groups of fans know the whole world is watching. We have to present ourselves similar to the way we did at WC 2006 because it brings a lot of sympathy. Today we have another chance to present Germany in a positive way."
Unfortunately, there were reports of some clashes between rival sets of fans earlier in the day, but, happily, the atmosphere at the ground is wonderfully good-natured.
"The whole world will watch the game," the World Cup winner told Sky Sport Germany. "It electrifies the masses. Never before there was so much talk about a Champions League final than this time.
"Both groups of fans know the whole world is watching. We have to present ourselves similar to the way we did at WC 2006 because it brings a lot of sympathy. Today we have another chance to present Germany in a positive way."
Unfortunately, there were reports of some clashes between rival sets of fans earlier in the day, but, happily, the atmosphere at the ground is wonderfully good-natured.
6:18 PM BST
Former Dortmund goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was present at the Champions League festival earlier and he is tipping his former side for the title: "I think Bayern are a little stronger but if I was to have a bet, I would bet on Dortmund because that would win me more money!"
However, our tipster Hugh Wilson reckons that the value is a punt on both sides scoring in the first half ...
However, our tipster Hugh Wilson reckons that the value is a punt on both sides scoring in the first half ...
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