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The first tier competition of the UEFA champions league (UCL) in this season will see the last of the currently employed format.
Veterans of the tournament Real Madrid CF secured a place in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final at the expense of German outfit Bayern Munich at the death of the game.
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Their local rivals Borussia Dortmund now however have the chance for the most dramatic fairytale ending at the same stadium they made their last UCL final berth.
The final slated for June 1st at the Wembley stadium in the United Kingdom will see both sides battle it out to take the most prized trophy.
Road to final
Real Madrid navigated their group stage campaign with relative ease. Joined by Italian Serie A champions of 22/23 in SSC Napoli, SC Braga and German side Union Berlin.
Los Blancos cruised to top spot while unbeaten across the group stage campaign picking all of the available 18 points.
Borussia Dortmund were engrossed in unarguably the tournament’s group of death with Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and English side Newcastle United. After unending drama in group F, Edin Terzic’s Dortmund took top spot staying 3 points clear of Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan with eight points apiece.
In the knockout rounds of the 2023/24 UEF Champions League, Real Madrid took on RB Leipzig first going through on aggregate by a slim 2-1 margin aided by the lack of ferociousness of Leipzig’s young attacking contingent.
Ancelotti’s side proceeded to the double-legged tie against defending champions Real Madrid where they progressed over penalties to set up a semi-final berth with Bayern Munich.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, Bayern took the lead via first half substitute Alphonso Davies and looked poised to seal the tie.
Two goals in five minutes from substitute Joselu Mato necessitated the game ending in Real Madrid’s favour.
On the Dortmund end, their knockout exploits began with the outing against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in the round 16. Before taking on Cholo Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the quarter final.
Despite losing the initial leg 2-1, Terzic’s side rallied to turn it back and secure a 5-4 victory over Atletico.
The semi-final affair was against familiar foe Paris Saint-Germain from the group stages and both legs ended in 1-0 victories for the men of the Yellow Wall.
Preview
Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos indeed boasts tournament veterans in the likes of Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and skipper Nacho Fernandez unfazed by the quality or caliber of opponents. The biggest question asked will be if the returning Thibaut Courtois will take the starting shirt from the impressive Andriy Lunin.
Terzic’s Dortmund will undoubtedly come in as overwhelming underdogs but however have all to play for in this tie. The acquisition of Jadon Sancho on loan from Manchester United in January has given an added edge to the team. The long serving Marco Reus has also announced he’ll depart the club side come the summer and as such the final would present the perfect parting gift for years of service.
In terms of quality and experience, the edge undoubtedly goes to the Spanish outfit. Regardless, Dortmund would expectedly stage a spirited fight as they’ve for the rest of their campaign so far.
An extra spotlight will be on English midfielder Jude Bellingham who would take on his former side just a season after departing for the coasts of Madrid.
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