Real Madrid is highly regarded as aiming for its 15th Champions League title when it meets Dortmund at Wembley Stadium. However, coach Carlo Ancelotti ‘s team encountered many difficulties against opponents from Germany.
Karim Adeyemi missed two good opportunities to open the score for Dortmund in the first half
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The biggest surprise in Real Madrid ‘s starting lineup was that veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois started in place of Andriy Lunin. It was the Belgian goalkeeper who was the Spanish champion’s salvation in the first half.
Not holding the ball much, Dortmund showed why they overcame title candidates like Atletico Madrid and PSG on their journey to the final. “Know yourself, know yourself”, coach Edin Terzic arranged a reasonable playing style when actively playing in a low formation and suԀԀenly accelerating on the ball’s way.
The talent of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois helped Real Madrid escape defeat in the first half
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Dortmund ‘s strategy left Real Madrid’s attacking stars like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham without much space and almost faded in the first 45 minutes. The pressing and аggressive playing style of the German team’s midfield also limited the damaging passes of Toni Kroos, who played his last match in the “White Vulture” shirt. Even if it were more accurate and without the talent of goalkeeper Courtois, Dortmund would have opened the score after 3 good chances from Karim Adeyemi and Marcel Sabitzer.
Real Madrid’s аttаck remained deadlocked in the first half of the second half and their brightest star was still goalkeeper Courtois with a save after Niclas Fullkrug’s header. But in the towel, coach Ancelotti’s team showed the same bravery they showed when overcoming Man City and Bayern Munich to appear in the final.
Carvajal (left) opened the scoring for Real Madrid
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Not sharp in coordination, the Spanish champion still opened the score in the 75th minute after a corner kιck. Defender Dani Carvajal was the one who scored with a high jump and a header that beаt goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
The goal was the turning point of the match and relieved the pressure on Ancelotti’s team. It forced Dortmund to push their attacking lineup higher and that was the moment when Real Madrid’s attacking stars had more space, before Vinicius extinguished his opponent’s hopes with a goal that doubled the gap in the 83rd minute.
Toni Kroos had a sweet farewell to Real Madrid
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With this victory, Real Madrid continued to increase its record of winning Europe’s top tournament to 15 times. They closed the 2023 – 2024 season with a double title after winning La Liga. That was also Toni Kroos’ complete farewell after 3 times contributing to Real Madrid winning the Champion League 3 times in a row in the 2015 – 2016, 2016 – 2017 and 2017 – 2018 seasons. Meanwhile, coach Ancelotti continues to become the manager with the most Champions League titles with 5 crowns.
On the contrary, Dortmund can only blame themselves for missing good opportunities in the final. The defeat also brought nostalgia to Marco Reus in his last match for Dortmund. 11 years ago, Marco Reus and the yellow and black team entered the Champion League final at Wembley Stadium and lost to Bayern Munich.