Subs: Ozcan, Nmecha, Haller, Reus, Wolf, Moukoko, Malen, Sule, Meyer, Laurenz Lotka, Watjen, Bynoe-Gittens.
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Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior.
Subs: Eder Militao, Alaba, Modric, Lunin, Joselu, Lucas, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Guler, Arrizabalaga.
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Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia).
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It’s the 69th European Cup / Champions League final! Real Madrid have been involved in 17 of the previous stagings, winning 14 of them, last losing one in 1981, nine appearances ago. It’s not a point that desperately needs making, but let’s say it anyway: los Merengues are rather good at this.
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Borussia Dortmund on the other hand have a more grounded record of one from two. BVB lifted this trophy in 1997; they lost on their other final appearance, here at Wembley, in 2013. They’re very much the underdogs tonight, and not just for all those historical, date-stamped reasons: Real are the new Spanish champions while Dortmund finished a disappointing fifth in the Bundesliga; Real boast Vinícius Júnior, Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham, Luka Modrić plus The Wall in goal; Real are Real, who always find a way to get it done.
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But then Dortmund were underdogs against Juventus back in ‘97, and they comfortably won that. So there’s some precedent in their favour, too. Throw in the staunch way in which they saw off Atletico Madrid and PSG in earlier rounds, plus the narrative purity of their return to Wembley and a last hurrah for 2013 veterans Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, and perhaps there’s just something in the air this year. All of which is a long-winded way to say that this is set up deliciously: the kings of European football versus a club that revels in the role of underdog, facing off in the biggest club match of the season. Kick-off at Wembley is at 8pm BST. It’s on!
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Important Events
Like Real Madrid before them, there are no particular surprises in Borussia Dortmund’s starting eleven. Mats Hummels is the only player from the 2013 squad still in the starting eleven. Marco Reus, who also started here 11 years ago, will likely come off the bench for his final game one day. Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, is in the starting eleven alongside former Old Trafford star Marcel Sabitzer, while Emre Can is playing in his second final since collecting a runners-up medal with Liverpool in 2018.
🚨 Starting XI against Real Madrid 🚨#BVBRMA #UCL #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/PVR3VkJ8y8
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) June 1, 2024
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team
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel, Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen, Jan, Sabitzer, Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi, and Furkrug.
Subs: Ozcan, Nmecha, Haller, Reus, Wolf, Moukoko, Malen, Süle, Meyer, Lorenz Lotka, Watchen, Bynoe Gittens.
real madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos, Bellingham, Rodrigo, Vinicius Junior.
Subs: Éder Militão, Alaba, Modric, Lunin, Joselu, Lucas, Chouameni, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Güler, Arrizabalaga.
Judge: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia).
This is the fifth European Cup final between the German and Spanish teams…
1960: Real Madrid 7-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
1974: Bayern Munich 4-0 Atlético Madrid (replay after 1-1 draw)
2000: Bayern Munich 1-1 Valencia (Bayern wins 5-4 on penalties)
2002: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
…And while both triumphs in Spain were won by Real Madrid and on English soil, there is a bit of historical salvation in the fact that Dortmund have also had success on the islands: they won the Cup Winners’ Cup at Hampden in 1966, beating Bill Shankly’s Liverpool 2-1 after extra time.
This will be the eighth European Cup final to be played at Wembley Stadium.
1963: AC Milan 2-1 Benfica
1968: Manchester United 4-1 Benfica (extra time)
1971: Ajax 2-0 Panathinaikos
1978: Liverpool 1-0 Club Brugge
1992: Barcelona 1-0 Sampdoria (extra time)
2011: Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United
2013: Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
…but this will be the first time they face Real Madrid, who have made it to the final 18 times. However, the Spanish giants have already played in two finals in Scotland: in 1960, in the legendary 7-3 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, and in Zidane’s performance against Bayer Leverkusen They beat Juventus 4-1 in 2002 and in Wales in 2017. Any excuse is fine…
The Yellow Wall are on tour and have already made their presence felt at Wembley. There was plenty of party noise, an old friend was in town and his trademark smile was just beamed onto the big screen. Oh, Jurgen, we’re going to miss you.
Klopp is ready! 🔥😍#UCL #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/pSHSYcIOvP
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) June 1, 2024
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Real Madrid don’t hang around. The starting eleven have already been announced. Thibaut Courtois will make his fifth start of the season and his first Champions League appearance since last May, when he was scored four goals by Manchester City in the semi-final at the Etihad. His lieutenant Andriy Lunin is on the bench as he recovers from flu. Toni Kroos will play his 153rd and final Champions League match for Real Madrid.
📋✅ We’re starting our journey towards the finals!
🆚 @BVB#UCLFinal | #APorLa15 pic.twitter.com/2B4HyEtdNa
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) June 1, 2024
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preamble
It’s the 69th European Cup/Champions League Final! Real Madrid have played in the competition 17 times, winning 14 of them, the last time they lost was nine times ago in 1981. There’s no need to stress this, but let me say it anyway. Los Merengues I’m pretty good at this.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund are enjoying a more consistent record with one win from two games. BVB lifted the trophy in 1997 but lost in another final at Wembley Stadium in 2013. They are clear underdogs tonight, but not only because of the historic date. Real are the newly crowned Spanish champions, while Dortmund finished a disappointing fifth in the Bundesliga. Real have Vinicius Junior, Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric in goal and The Wall. Real being Real, they always find a way to get by.
However, Dortmund were underdogs against Juventus in ’97, but still managed to win handily. So they have precedent. Add in the solid manner in which they beat Atletico Madrid and PSG in earlier rounds, the purity of their return to Wembley story and final big performances from 2013 veterans Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, and anything feels like it could happen this year. Long story short, it’s a very appealing setup: the champions of European football and a club happy in their role as underdogs, facing off in the biggest club match of the season. Kick-off at Wembley is at 8pm BST. started!
