Reaching a UEFA Champions League final is regarded as a milestone career achievement as it honours the years of hard work and dedication put in to become a professional footballer.
On the other hand, losing the showpiece game always stings the hardest, as even multiple winners of the competition still cannot get over the instances they lost in the final.
Borussia Dortmund are the latest team to lick their wounds after losing a Champions League final, but there is no shame in the manner of defeat to Real Madrid of all teams.
BVB can be proud of their showing against the record champions as they battled with destiny during their own impressive run to the final of the competition. Borussia Dortmund tickets remain one of the most highly demanded.
The Germans caused their much-fancied opponents all sorts of problems at Wembley Stadium, but like many previous UCL opponents, they ultimately fell short. They only need to ask Bayern Munich and Manchester City about getting sucker-punched by this Real Madrid team.
Bayern were bound for Wembley in the 88th minute of the second leg of their semi-final at the Bernabeu while City had 33 shots in the second leg of their quarter-final but still lost on penalties.
The 2024 final started with a frenetic pace as both teams tried to assert control of the proceedings. As expected, Dortmund were strong in defence and they forced the Madrid backline into several uncomfortable situations as they found joy on the counterattack, particularly through Karim Adeyemi on the left flank.
Adeyemi fluffed his lines after going around Thibaut Courtois midway through the first half while Niclas Fullkrug beat the goalkeeper but struck the far post. As the missed chances piled up, there was a sense of impending doom for Dortmund who were up against a side that was certain to take their chances when they arrive in high-stakes scenarios.
Firstly, Dani Carvajal – one of the shortest men on the pitch – headed in from a corner and Vinicius Junior then made sure of the result by clinically converting following a poor pass from Ian Maatsen.
In the end, Edin Terzic’s team had seven of the eight shots from inside the box in the first half but failed to hit the target while the Kings of Europe lived up to their billing.
Aside from dominating the play, BVB were ultimately faced with poor luck on the day as Fullkrug’s disallowed goal a few minutes from time also denied them a potential late rally.
Terzic set up his team perfectly to neutralise Madrid’s main threats and hurt them on the break but Individual errors and perhaps inexperience made the difference:
The result is that Sir Alex Ferguson remains the last manager to defeat Real Madrid in a European final – with Aberdeen over 40 years ago now. Meanwhile, there won’t be lots of tears shed after a heroic performance from the Germans.
“We played a great game and maybe we deserved a bit more. Especially in the first half, you had the feeling that we had them figured out. We played a good game. We showed that we believe in ourselves.” Terzic said. “We did so many things right and the only difference is that they had that killer instinct. And then you see the quality they have. That’s why they are deservedly the champions again.”
The Dortmund boss was proud of his team, and it is a sentiment shared by veteran defender Mats Hummels who was colossal for the Black and Yellows.
“We played a great game. It sounds stupid, but I am incredibly proud of the team. We played well – with heart, with everything that goes with it, with footballing class. But we missed the chance to score a goal.” Hummels said.
The man behind him in goal was also full of praise for his teammates and is positive about what the future holds.
“At the moment, you’re just disappointed – I think that’s normal after a game like that and an opportunity like that. You probably don’t get too many chances against Real Madrid,” Gregor Kobel said.
“We had ours. And in the end, they just hit with their quality. It’s a huge success that we were here. I’m super proud of the team. We showed that we can play at the top level internationally.”
Finals are to be won, not played, and this Madrid team embodies that saying. It is pertinent that Dani Carvajal scored his first Champions League goal in nine years and walked away with the Player of the Match award on this night of nights.
The Real Madrid players were revelling in another historic moment for the club, but they were also impressed by their opponents.
The retiring Toni Kroos said: “Of course I wanted to say goodbye with this Champions League victory and that means an incredible amount to me. Dortmund played a very, very good first half. It took a long time today until we were the better team.”
UEFA Champions League Young Player of The Season, Jude Bellingham, also praised the effort of his former teammates and highlighted the supreme quality of Real Madrid.
“They were the better team in the first half and could have been leading 2-0 or 3-0. We have to be honest about that. If you don’t kill us, it will come back and haunt you. I have a lot of respect for both clubs. This one is very special to me now, the old one, too.”
Los Blancos have now won six Champions League titles in the last ten years, with three of those coming under Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian’s laid-back approach to management and unique ability to get the best out of world-class players is a masterstroke of his longevity.
Jose Mourinho hailed his counterpart’s records, saying;
“He’s not a social media coach. He comes from a meritocracy. Go to his office and see his medals,”
This is now Ancelotti’s fifth Champions League winners medal as a manager having also won two as a player. He is the perfect coach to oversee some of the best players of this era and rivals will be wary of the 15-time Champions of Europe signing one of the greatest players in the world.
After winning La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League despite the crippling injuries, Madrid get to celebrate their latest achievements with the acquisition of Kylian Mbappe. As far as building on UCL-winning teams goes, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Don’t bet against the Spaniards lifting the trophy again next year.