There is no question that Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund fully deserve to be contesting the Champions League final.

But that does not mean neither side is impermeable to weaknesses.

Transitions

It probably will not turn out to be an issue tonight due to Bayern’s style of play, but occasionally Dortmund has struggled against sides that sit back and soak up pressure, Malaga in the quarter-final second leg being a case in point.

Dortmund are a team that values the power of transitions, preferring to hit teams on the break at pace and although they have a technical edge in their play via midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and the injured Mario Gotze, teams that mass behind the ball and attack sporadically can frustrate them.

However they are not a traditional counter-attacking side because there are other key elements to their game: intense pressing, high tempo and positivity.

Injuries, form and fitness

How they deal with the loss of Gotze will be crucial. They may move Gundogan further forward with Nuri Sahin or Sebastian Kehl occupying the space he vacates, but that leaves Gundogan playing in a role he does not favour which could affect the balance of the side.

Dortmund will also have to hope that Mats Hummels is fully switched on. Normally composed with the ball at his feet, he gave the ball away with regularity in the 4 – 1 win over Real Madrid, with his error setting Real up for their only goal of the match.

Hummels can point to the fact that he may not have been fully match fit after a recent injury, but he is also rushing back from injury for tonight’s match after picking up an ankle knock at Hoffenheim last weekend. And if the example of Germany’s loss to Italy at Euro 2012 is anything to go by, he can be suspect when isolated one-on-one.

He will most likely be up against Mario Mandzukic who has been a key man for Bayern Munich this season. Key to the way the Bavarians play, it is his unsung role as an advanced presser that provides a platform defensively.

And Bayern have had a relatively resolute defence. Although not impregnable, the addition of Dante has shored up a defence that conceded just 18 goals in 34 league games.

Set pieces

However they are not infallible at set-pieces, an issue that has not been remedied and reared its head with Didier Drogba's leveller in last year's final.

In the last-16 first leg, Arsenal scored via a corner, while the same occurred in the second leg when Olivier Giroud nodded in under very little pressure. 

Complacency may have been an issue in that second leg. But it certainly will not be the case tonight for a club that has lost its last two Champions League finals.

Pressure

However pressure and the way Bayern deals with it will be an issue for Juup Heynckes to fathom.

Dortmund will lap up the underdogs tag that Bayern cannot draw comfort from, even if the German champions have had the measure of their opponents this season.

It’s a mixture of being the natural favourites due to their prestige and history, but also that pressure of not wanting to be the team that lost three Champions League finals in five years.