Revealed: Borussia Dortmund’s plan to stop Jude Bellingham in the Champions League final… as Nico Schlotterbeck hails the Real Madrid star and says ‘he can do everything’

Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck has opened up about the challenges of facing Jude Bellingham in the Champions League final and detailed his plan to stop the Englishman.

Dortmund will take on Real Madrid at Wembley on Saturday evening as they look to win Europe’s elite club competition for the second time in their history.

Edin Terzic’s side have had a memorable run to the final, beating the likes of Atletico Madrid and PSG, with their European successes despite a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Bundesliga.

However, Real’s star-studded squad includes devastating attacking trio Bellingham, Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo, and Schlotterbeck outlined Dortmund’s proposed method of nullifying them.

“I know Jude well, we played together for a year,” Schlotterbeck said before the showpiece.

Bellingham will play a key role for Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Wembley

Schlotterbeck praised his former teammate and said it would take a team effort to undo him

‘He can do everything. He can run with the ball, he can run without the ball, he can dribble, shoot, we have to be very careful.

‘You don’t have to say much about the wingers. They are very good at dribbling. Every player in the world has had problems with it. I’m looking forward to the match.

‘We have to do it as a team. If we can control their three attacking players, we have a chance to win.”

Bellingham is a popular figure in Dortmund despite leaving for Real last summer. The 20-year-old scored 24 goals and added 25 assists in three years at the club.

But he has taken his game to a new level in the Spanish capital this season, scoring 35 goals in 41 games.

However, another former Bellingham team-mate at Dortmund, Julian Brandt, insisted the German side can upset the odds as they look to avenge their 2013 final defeat to Bayern Munich.

On Friday he said:Our Champions League season, which we showed against many teams. Erdin said it very well. It is the ultimate opponent in Real Madrid. There is nothing bigger in the Champions League with their history.

‘If we hadn’t believed it, we could have stayed in Dortmund. We have full confidence in it and we will show that tomorrow.’

Elsewhere, Terzic outlined the challenges Carlo Ancelotti’s side will bring, but called on his players to ensure they can celebrate well into the night on Saturday.

Schlotterbeck highlighted Real’s dangerous trio of Bellingham, Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo

Dortmund boss Edin Terzic called on his side to ‘have the best celebration ever’ by winning the match

“We are ready to compete at the highest level,” he added. ‘If you play against Real Madrid ten times it might be very difficult. If you play 34 times, it’s impossible. But when you break it down into one match, a final, anything is possible.

‘It’s clear that they have a favorite role, it doesn’t matter to us. If we are brave and ready to show that we are not here to watch Real Madrid lift the next trophy, if we are here to give a match, then we have a chance.

‘We can do it. We won competitions on the way here and I’m sure the best parties I’ve ever had are the ones I never planned. That’s why I think we can have the best party ever tomorrow.

“If you had told me the day before that I was sitting here, I would expect to be nervous. But we have prepared so well that I have so much confidence in it.’