Bayern in a better place ahead of decider

Losing at home to a team battling relegation is not the ideal preparation for a Champions League final, but it’s been that sort of a season for Borussia Dortmund.

Almost from the off the Bundesliga champions needed to play catch-up, with Bayern Munich enjoying a dream start — a record eight straight wins, conceding just two goals, and with the psychological advantage of beating Dortmund in the super cup.

Dortmund also had the toughest Champions League going with Real Madrid, Ajax and Manchester City, so it wasn’t a huge surprise that Jurgen Klopp’s side gradually began to focus on Europe. Fourteen points dropped by early November more or less decided it, and that included matches against straggling Nuremberg and Stuttgart.