Real Madrid favourites to win the Champions League again

After winning its record-extending 26th Spanish League title during the weekend, Real Madrid has made a step further to win the 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League title with their win against Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich. Los Blancos will be at Wembley for the UCL finals after they beat the German Giants 2-1 with late goals to end a thrilling Semi-final encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu. This remarkable feat means the club is one win away from celebrating another Double-season and a 15th UCL glory.

Former Stoke forward Joselu emerged as the unlikely hero to send Real Madrid to the Champions League finals with two late goals after being introduced to the game in the eighty-first minute. The game – which ended 4-3 on aggregate – began with a tightly-contested first leg display at the Allianz Arena. Vinicius Jr bagged a brace to deny the Germans the home advantage ahead of their trip to Madrid. Los Blancos has remained unbeaten at home in 13 months and boosting a rich- heritage in the competition, the players and fans were confident of a positive result at the Bernabeu. 

Both teams pressed to break the deadlock in the first half but it ended goalless. Los Blancos were again on the brink of a consecutive semi-final elimination when substitute Alphonso Davies scored the opener with a superb power strike that beat Lunin at his near post. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s super subs did the trick and changed the angle of the game, with Joselu scoring twice in three minutes to tarnish Bayern’s hope of silverware this season. German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s mistake gifted Joselu the equaliser. The Spaniard then steered in a second from Antonio Rudiger’s pass to send Bayern packing.

More drama followed in the final stages of added time when De Ligt’s goal was disallowed for offside against Mazraoui, despite the remonstrations of the Bayern players, the equalizer didn’t stand. After losing the Bundesliga title to rivals Bayern Leverkusen, Bayern Munich will now end their season without silverware for the first time since the 2011/2012 season.  

Carlo Ancelotti and his team will face another German team at the finals at Wembley. Borussia Dortmund beat French Champions Paris-Saint German 2-0 on aggregate in Paris to advance to the finals on Tuesday night. They might not be in their best season in the Bundesliga, but they have shown their quality, class, and resilience on the European stage. Manchester United’s loanee Jordan Sancho, Niclas Fullkurg, Mats Hammels, and outgoing Captain Marco Reus have driven the Black and Yellows in the UCL knockout stages this season. See their impressive run here.

Why are Real Madrid favorites to emerge victorious in the 2023/24 Champions League finals?

Madrid’s History in the Champions League 

Los Blancos is the most successful club in the far-stretched history of the UEFA Champions League. They will feature in the UCL final for the 18th time in the club’s history, having previously played in 17 finals and won 14 times, three more than AC Milan and Bayern Munich (and four more than Liverpool). They have the highest winning percentage at the tournament’s finals and a win against Borussia Dortmund in this year’s final will keep them at the top of the charts, retaining their status as Europe’s most competitive and successful club.

Borussia Dortmund has only made it to the final round of the Champions League twice. They won the 1996/1997 tournament and lost to Bayern Munich in the 2012/2013 finals at Wembley. 

Never Lost a Champions League Final to a German Team

Real Madrid’s record against German teams in the UEFA Champions League is impressive. They’ve never lost a final to a German team. This speaks volumes about their ability to handle the challenges posed by German clubs, showcasing their tactical prowess on the big stage.

Real Madrid has encountered German opponents twice in the Champions League finals and won on both occasions. These included the 1960 finals against Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Leverkusen in 2002. Los Blancos has only lost three Champions League finals, first in 1962 against Portugal’s Benfica, 1964 against Italy’s Inter Milan, and 1981 against England’s Liverpool. They have won in their last eight UCL final appearances and the game against Dortmund at Wembley is likely to be no different. 

One reason behind this success could be their familiarity with the style of play exhibited by German teams. Long-term players and technical staff at the club often face opponents from various footballing backgrounds in domestic and international competitions and continuously study managerial patterns. La Liga teams play more technically than their German neighbors due to the weight of competition they are exposed to. 

Moreover, their ability to maintain composure and perform under pressure is evident in their track record of winning.  This demonstrates their mental fortitude and ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are high. Real Madrid thrives in high-pressure situations, and their experience in handling the expectations and intensity of UCL finals sets them apart.

A Record of Winning the UCL after beating the Defending Champions 

Real Madrid has an impressive record of winning the Champions League title after they eliminated the defending champions from the previous season. These patterns were seen in 1998 against Borussia Dortmund, 2000 against Manchester United,  2002 with Bayern Munich, 2014 with Bayern Munich, and 2022 against Chelsea. They beat last year’s winners Manchester City in the quarter-finals and have now reignited hopes of another UCL triumph.

Additionally, Real Madrid’s squad depth and quality can’t be overlooked. They boast a roster filled with world-class talent across all positions, allowing them to adapt their gameplay and tactics to the demands of each match. The balanced blend of talent, youth, and experience gives them an edge over Borussia Dortmund. The expertise of head coach Carlo Ancelotti who will manage his sixth Champions League final game cannot be underestimated. The leadership provided by the coaching staff will play a crucial role in mentally and physically preparing the team for the challenge ahead. 

While Borussia Dortmund may pose a formidable challenge in the 2023/2024 UCL final, Real Madrid’s historical dominance in the competition, their ability to win after eliminating the holders, squad depth, and managerial expertise all point towards their potential to emerge victorious at the finals in Wembley.

UPCOMING REAL MADRID MATCHES

Villarreal Vs. Real Madrid (Sunday 19th May Spanish La Liga) 

Real Madrid Vs. Real Betis (Saturday 25th May Spanish La Liga)

Borussia Dortmund Vs. Real Madrid (Saturday 1st June, UEFA Champions League) 

WHERE TO GET AVAILABLE  REAL MADRID TICKETS

Explore available Real Madrid Tickets that are currently in high demand. See seat maps and compare prices to secure the seats for a wonderful and stress-free experience. Tickets from official sites are sold out due to the high demand. Secondary marketplaces, however, remain the most reliable source for getting a place in the Games with no hidden fees. 

The UEFA Champions League final is set. Real Madrid will go head-to-head with Borussia Dortmund for the fourteenth time in the competition’s wild history and Jude Bellingham will face his former club at his home country in a bid to claim his first European glory. As part of his contract, Borussia Dortmund will get €25m from Real Madrid if they should win the Champions League this season, which is higher than what Dortmund would receive from UEFA (€20m) if they win the competition.

Ensure you don’t miss any drama, reserve your tickets, and rally behind the well-motivated Los Blancos team on their journey to claim the double.