We come to that time again, the greatest sporting competition in Europe comes to the ultimate showdown. Real Madrid who have won the competition an astonishing 14 times and they will hope to make it 15 as they make the final once again. Borrussia Dortmund who have only won the competition once in 1997 will hope to do the unthinkable and stop the Galacticos.
Where and when the game will be played.
The Champions League final will be played in England inside the iconic Wembley. On Saturday with a kick off time at 8pm. Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid will compete on the biggest stage in European football. The Match will be played on TNT and will be made available to non subscribers via the Dicovery + app and website.
Real Madrid’s Champions League history
Real Madrid's history in the UEFA Champions League is illustrious and marked by numerous records and achievements. Here's a detailed account of their journey in the competition:
Early Dominance (1955-1960)
- 1955-56: Real Madrid won the inaugural European Cup, defeating Stade de Reims 4-3 in the final.
- 1956-57: They retained the title by beating Fiorentina 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
- 1957-58: Real Madrid completed a hat-trick of titles with a 3-2 win over AC Milan in extra time.
- 1958-59: They secured their fourth consecutive title, defeating Stade de Reims 2-0.
- 1959-60: Real Madrid's dominance continued with a 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in one of the most memorable finals, held at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Continued Success and Challenges (1961-2000)
- 1965-66: After a brief hiatus, Real Madrid won their sixth European Cup by defeating Partizan Belgrade 2-1 in the final.
- 1980s-1990s: Real Madrid experienced a period of inconsistency, with several notable exits in the early rounds. However, they remained a formidable presence in European football.
Modern Era and Revival (2000-Present)
- 1997-98: Real Madrid ended a 32-year wait for their seventh title by defeating Juventus 1-0, thanks to a goal from Predrag Mijatović.
- 1999-2000: They won their eighth title with a 3-0 victory over Valencia, becoming the first club to win the Champions League twice since its rebranding.
- 2001-02: Real Madrid won their ninth title with a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. Zinedine Zidane scored one of the greatest goals in a final with a stunning volley.
The Era of Domination (2014-2018)
- 2013-14: Real Madrid claimed their tenth title, known as "La Décima," by defeating Atlético Madrid 4-1 after extra time. Sergio Ramos scored a crucial equalizer in stoppage time.
- 2015-16: Real Madrid won their eleventh title by once again defeating Atlético Madrid, this time on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
- 2016-17: They became the first club to retain the Champions League title in the modern era, defeating Juventus 4-1 in the final.
- 2017-18: Real Madrid completed a historic three-peat by winning their thirteenth title, beating Liverpool 3-1 in the final. This era solidified their status as the most successful club in the competition.
Recent Success
- 2021-22: Real Madrid won their fourteenth title, defeating Liverpool 1-0 in the final. This victory marked their first Champions League title under manager Carlo Ancelotti in his second stint with the club.
Records and Achievements
- Most Titles: Real Madrid holds the record for the most Champions League/European Cup titles with 14.
- Historic Players: Legendary players like Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, Raúl, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sergio Ramos have all contributed to Real Madrid's success.
- Top Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo is the club's all-time top scorer in the Champions League, with numerous records to his name, including most goals in a single season (17 in 2013-14).
Impact and Legacy
Real Madrid's consistent success in the UEFA Champions League has established them as the premier club in European football. Their ability to perform on the biggest stage, combined with a rich history of legendary players and memorable matches, has cemented their legacy as the benchmark for excellence in club football.
Borussia Dortmund Champions League history
Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany’s most successful football clubs, has had a notable history in the UEFA Champions League. Here’s a detailed look at their journey:
Early Years and Breakthrough (1955-1996)
- 1950s-1980s: Borussia Dortmund participated sporadically in European competitions without significant success. They did not make a substantial impact in the early years of the European Cup (now UEFA Champions League).
- 1989: Dortmund won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, their first major European trophy, defeating Werder Bremen 2-0 in the final. This victory marked their arrival on the European stage but it wasn't part of the Champions League.
Golden Era: Champions League Victory (1996-1997)
- 1996-97: This season marked the pinnacle of Borussia Dortmund’s success in the Champions League. Under the management of Ottmar Hitzfeld, Dortmund had an impressive campaign:
- Group Stage: Dortmund progressed through the group stage, finishing second behind Atlético Madrid.
- Knockout Rounds: They defeated AJ Auxerre in the quarter-finals and Manchester United in the semi-finals to reach the final.
- Final: On May 28, 1997, Dortmund faced Juventus in the final held at the Olympiastadion in Munich. They secured a stunning 3-1 victory with goals from Karl-Heinz Riedle (2) and Lars Ricken, winning their first and only Champions League title to date.
Post-Victory Period (1998-2009)
- Late 1990s-2000s: Following their Champions League triumph, Dortmund experienced fluctuating fortunes in Europe. They reached the semi-finals of the 1997-98 Champions League but were defeated by Real Madrid. The club struggled with financial issues and inconsistent performances, which affected their participation in European competitions.
Revival and Recent Years (2010-Present)
- 2010s: With the arrival of Jürgen Klopp as manager, Dortmund saw a revival both domestically and in Europe.
- 2012-13: Dortmund had a memorable run to the Champions League final:
- Group Stage: Dortmund topped a challenging group that included Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Ajax.
- Knockout Rounds: They defeated Shakhtar Donetsk in the Round of 16 and Málaga in a dramatic quarter-final. In the semi-finals, they overcame Real Madrid.
- Final: On May 25, 2013, Dortmund faced Bayern Munich in an all-German final at Wembley Stadium. Despite a spirited performance, they were defeated 2-1, with Bayern’s Arjen Robben scoring the winning goal in the final minutes.
- 2016-17: Dortmund reached the quarter-finals but were eliminated by AS Monaco in a tie overshadowed by a bombing attack on the Dortmund team bus.
- Recent Seasons: Dortmund has remained a consistent participant in the Champions League, often advancing to the knockout stages. They reached the Round of 16 and quarter-finals multiple times but haven't been able to replicate their 1997 success.
- 2012-13: Dortmund had a memorable run to the Champions League final:
Records and Notable Players
- Top Scorer: Robert Lewandowski is Dortmund’s top scorer in the Champions League, having scored many goals during his time at the club.
- Notable Players: Marco Reus, Mats Hummels, Mario Götze, and Erling Haaland have been significant contributors in recent years.
Impact and Legacy
Borussia Dortmund's victory in the 1996-97 Champions League remains the highlight of their European history. The club is known for its passionate fanbase, youth development, and an attacking style of play. Dortmund continues to be a formidable competitor in the Champions League, aiming to add to their illustrious history.
Current Real Madrid
Real Madrid have had a resurgence under legend Carlo Ancelotti. Bringing in the likes of Jude Bellingham who has had a wonderful debut season with Madrid. The young Englishman will hope to deliver the Champions League to the Galacticos once again. Bellingham has been a revelation to the side scoring and assisting for fun, he will hope to end the season on a high before the Euro’s begin in June.
Real Madrid have won the league, with the likes of Vinicius Junior, Valverde and Rodrigo they will be very hard to stop. They have invested in youth and still have legends such as Modric and Kroos which has led to a perfect balance. Madrid who are also on the verge of signing super star Kylian Mbappe will look to dominate Europe for years to come; this is just the start!
Current Borussia Dortmund
Borrusia Dortmund would not have expected to get this far into the competition. Beating the likes of PSG and Athletico Madrid they certainly are not a team to be underestimated.
With the likes of Adayemi and Ian Maatssen they are a threat to any defence. Dortmund have blistering pace going forward and also possess a very experienced defence with players such as Hummels and Sule, they will be very hard to break down.
Club legend and loved by all football fans, Marco Reus has confirmed he will finally be leaving Dortmund. This could be a fairy tale ending for the German star, many neutrals would love to see Marco Reus lift the trophy to reward his unwavering loyalty!
Conclusion and Prediction
Overall, this should be a great final. Real Madrid are clear favourites to take home the trophy however, do not underestimate Dortmund as they thrive on being the underdog! It should be a great game that will bring entertainment to all football fans around the world.
Prediction Real Madrid 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
