Jurgen Kohler believes that Borussia Dortmund have enough strength and belief to overcome Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The Germans play host to Madrid for Wednesday’s semi-final first leg and their former centre-back, who was part of the Dortmund side that won 1997 European Cup, rates their chances this season too.
“Dortmund have already proven this season that they can beat Madrid,” commented Kohler to dpa, in reference to the group stage meetings between the two teams earlier this season.
“Real Madrid have a very powerful front-line. Their weakness, though, is in defence.
“And it is so that Dortmund are strongest in attack. I believe that they have a very good chance to win in the semi-final.
“Madrid are one of the three biggest teams in the world, alongside Barcelona and Bayern Munich. And it’s always something special to play against a team of this standing.”
Kohler also reflected on how Dortmund should counter Madrid across the two legs by targeting Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Ronaldo lives for his speed. If you let him have the ball and arrive in the final third then he is unstoppable.
“But when he has no space he feels very uncomfortable, it is something that you see. He is unlike Lionel Messi, he is not a great dribbler.
“For me, he is a great player. He is among the top five in the world and perhaps the most complete. He is a player that any team would want. But Messi is simply the best, the most effective.”
