The classic format of the UEFA Champions League will come to an end with this season’s edition that rap shops on Saturday with the finale between 14-time record winners Real Madrid.
The game which is said to take place at England’s iconic Wembley Stadium will usher of the 32-team format and bring in next season’s brand-new arrangement for the competition. Real Madrid face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, the Los Blancos will be hoping to get a result that gives them their 15th Champions League title.
The Spanish giants have dominated every iteration of the competition throughout history, but with an expanded format coming next season, it’s left to be seen how they fare.
The tournament will switch to its controversial new format with an expanded league phase next season. While the two teams have secured a place in next season’s edition but beyond being tagged champions and lifting the trophy, there’s alot for the two to fight for.
Dortmund have been trophyless since 2021, but Real are La Liga champions and would hope to add the UCL as their third trophy of the season after also winning the Supercopa de España and La Liga.
Dortmund ended in fifth in the Bundesliga, which was won by Bayer Leverkusen, in their worst league finish since finishing seventh in 2014/15 season. Furthermore, asides going into the game as the underdogs, they also are at a disadvantage as their last game was two weeks ago in the final Bundesliga matchday of the season where they got a 4-0 win over Darmstadt.
However, the Yellow and Blacks didn’t fluke their way to the final after winning a thrilling semi-final against PSG and a victory over Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinal. Unfortunately, they’re winless in their last four games against Los Blancos, with two wins and two draws. Their last win against Real Madrid in a UCL knockout fixture was a 2-0 win at home in 2013/14.
It’s the seventh European final for Dortmund, although they have only won two of them, with the last one coming against Juventus in 1997
Real Madrid’s pedigree in this competition is undisputed after winning all eight of their Champions League finals. Meanwhile, the game on Saturday is the final fixture for two iconic players from both teams, Toni Kroos and Marco Reus.
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