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The 2024 UEFA Champions League final showdown is now open us. Real Madrid’s charge for a record 14th title has only Edin Terzic’s Borussia Dortmund in their path to glory. The showdown scheduled for the prestigious Wembley stadium in London on June 1st will be a game for the underdogs against seasoned veterans. Here’s a preview of the much anticipated encounter.
Road to final
Borussia Dortmund were pegged in arguably the competition’s group of death with French champions Paris Saint-Germain, Italian outfit AC Milan and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.
Despite losing their initial game, Dortmund more than turned their fortune around and eventually ran out group leaders.
Heading into the knockout phases, the impressive run continued as they got past both PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid to set-up a semi-final berth. Against PSG from the same group, Terzic’s masterpiece of coaching navigated them through a double-leggeed tie against the Parisiens.
Los Blancos began their campaign in competition against SSC Napoli, Union Berlin and Portuguese based SC Braga. Carlo Ancelotti’s side picked up all available points to run out group leaders.
Real Madrid welcomed RB Leipzig in the first knockout round, progressing courtesy lack of clinicality from the German end and Andriy Lunin’s impressive performances.
Madrid got past English champions Manchester City and a struggling Bayern Munich to make another final appearance.
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Final matchup
Facing Dortmund means Real Madrid will face all the German teams that participated in this season’s tourney. Ancelotti’s squad most recently won the title in 2022 defeating Liverpool 1-0 in the final.
Dortmund reinforced heavily in the transfer window recruiting Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen and Jadon Sancho to bolster their squad. So far returning healthy return on investment.
Madrid’s biggest headache will be the confirmed absence of French anchorman Aurelien Tchouameni who picked up an injury in the return leg against Bayern Munich. Thibaut Courtois has made a return to full action and will battle it out with Andriy Lunin for a starting spot in the final.
Farewells
Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from professional football after the 2024 Euros and received an overwhelming sendforth in theLos Blancos league game against Real Betis. As a result, this final would be his last game at club level.
On the Yellow Wall path, Marco Reus has also announced he’ll depart the German outfit come the end of the current campaign.
Both sides will be eager to award their respective legends a befitting farewell gift.
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