Champions League First-Leg Preview: Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund

Love him or hate him, you can't argue with success. A two-time Champions League winner and multiple league champion in various leagues, Jose Mourinho's resume is one that few soccer managers can hold a candle too. Never one to shy from the spotlight "The Special One" has had a rather tumultuous time as manager of Real Madrid with significant highs and lows but what happens in the next few weeks will likely cement his legacy with the world's most valuable soccer team.

After Barcelona were dismantled 4-0 by Bayern Munich in that's fixtures first leg yesterday, Mourinho's side becomes the real only realistic hope for Spain to not only reach the Champions League final but win it all. Standing in their way is a strong Borussia Dortmund side that managed a win and a draw against Real Madrid in the group stages of the competition and will be confident that they could do the same again.

                                                  Can they repeat the feat?

While Dortmund's midfield gave Madrid significant problems in the group stages, the news that midfield maestro Mario Gotze is on his way to Bayern in the summer will no doubt cause some anxiety in the Dortmund camp and the impact on Gotze in particular will be something to observe. Mourinho is a master tactician and will have undoubtedly made some adjustments from the group stage games. Stopping the likes of Gotze, Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski will be Mourinho's top priorities.

                                                       

                                                              5 matchup's to watch

Cristiano Ronaldo vs  Lukasz Piszczek: The Polish right-back will have his hands full with the Portuguese superstar who is leading the competition in scoring. With his Argentinian rival faltering, Ronaldo has the opportunity to leave a significant mark and add significant fuel to his bid to be FIFA Player Of The Year. Expect him to deliver on the big stage once again.

Mario Gotze vs Mesut Ozil: The battle in central midfield between the two creative German internationals will play a key role in each team's movement off the ball. With Ronaldo likely to be marked rigorously throughout the game, Ozil should have opportunities to make a significant impact with his dribbling and passing ability.

Marco Reus vs Sergio Ramos: With Alvaro Arbeloa suspended, Sergio Ramos will move over to right-back after playing the majority of the season at central defence. Having played that role for the majority of his career it shouldn't be an issue for Ramos but the pacy Reus could give him some trouble if he isn't careful.

Robert Lewandowski vs Pepe and Raphael Varane: With Ramos suspended against Galatasaray in the second leg, the duo of Pepe and Varane played together for the first time in the competition and the results weren't good. The young Frenchman Varane was caught out on several occasions by Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder and Madrid's once comfortable lead in the two legged tie dwindled significantly as he and Pepe didn't seem to be on the same page. If the duo continues to struggle together it could be a field day for Polish striker Robert Lewandowski who is in great form and has become one of the top rated strikers in all of world football.

Roman Weidenfeller vs Diego Lopez:  With two very offensive squads, goalkeepers Weidenfeller and Lopez will be very busy in net and whoever outperforms the other could be the difference. Having kept long term starter Iker Casillas on the sidelines for a long spell, the pressure is on Lopez to deliver a strong performance with any slip up likely causing pundits to call for the return of Casillas

Prediction: Dortmund's home form in the Champions League has been strong but I can Madrid nick a goal and send things back to Madrid all square at 1-1.