What a year for world football it has been. With the Champions League semifinals closing out with Real Madrid’s and Dortmund’s respective wins over Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in the last week, the final round has been officially set. The 14-time champions Real Madrid will take on a Dortmund squad with loads of momentum in London on June 1st, 2024. Although the game is still a few weeks away, here are some important things to remember for each team and what to watch for. Regardless of the outcome, football fans across the world are certainly due for an action-packed classic in Wembley.
First, before we look at a game preview, it’s important to see how each team got here. Real Madrid cruised through their group state matches in Group C, easily taking down solid teams in Brage (POR), as well as Napoli (ITA) and Union Berlin (GER). Dortmund, on the other hand, did not have such an easy draw, as they were placed in the objectively stacked Group F. Although they had some hard fought games and only managed to score seven goals in their six games, Dortmund emerged victorious from the melee of their group, escaping with wins over Newcastle United (ENG), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), and AC Milan (ITA).
Also, it doesn’t have much to do with the game and is rather much more coincidence, but I think it’s really cool to see a narrative develop around Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. Before Bellingham signed a huge contract with Madrid during the 2023 free agency period, he was a star player for Dortmund. Playing as a striker for the Bundesliga giant, Bellingham netted 24 goals in his two-year career with the team, and he has recently been regarded as one of the next rising stars of the game. This game will be very special for him since he will be playing his old club in his home nation, so I think it’s safe to expect that Bellingham will definitely rise to the occasion and put on a world-class performance.
So what should fans expect in this matchup? As I said before, fans are definitely in store for an action-packed game, but I think the key thing to watch is how many veteran players are on each squad. Each defense is spearheaded by veteran German leadership, with Real Madrid’s back line being led by CDM Toni Kross, who is entering his tenth year with the club; as well as German CB Mats Hummels leading the black and yellow. While each team has firepower in every position across the field, I think it’s hard to not give a slight advantage to Real Madrid. Along with the previously-mentioned Bellingham, Ancelotti has the Brazilian CF Vinicius, Jr. in his front line, who I believe is currently one of the best strikers in the world. Madrid’s midline also has great leadership in Croatian CM Luka Modric and German CM Antonio Rudiger, so I think they will definitely help the team reach their 15th Champions League title.
While it’s tough to say what’ll happen with something that’s almost three weeks away, give me Ancelotti’s squad in a tight 2-1 victory. Hala Madrid!
