King Charles strikes again. The victory over Borussia Dortmund means Champions League number 15 in Real Madrid’s trophy cabinet, his fifth as a coach (to which must be added the two as a footballer), absolute record in the history of football. The record, in reality, would have remained so even in the event of defeat, but it would be better to keep ahead of the pursuers (Guardiola, Pasley and Zidane at 3), just to remind everyone that Europe is still his favorite playground.
Borussia Dortmund – Real Madrid 0-2: Ancelotti champion with Carvajal and Vinicius
The match was much tighter than anyone thought on the eve of the match, when many were convinced it would be a triumphal catwalk tinged with white. Nothing could be more wrong, because Borussia Dortmund played great, indeed it is correct to say that he dominated for at least an hour. In the first half, in fact, the only opportunities came from the Germans, very dangerous with Adeyemi and Fullkrug (post suspected offside), while Real seemed like a boxer on the ropes, almost surprised by the yellow and black verve. Terzic’s men, who deserve applause for this European campaign beyond all reasonable expectations, were only guilty of not scoring, which is certainly no small detail, especially in the presence of the great Real Madrid. The mix of fear and sigh of relief (for the 0-0, of course) definitely woke him up, because after the break we saw another team, finally in the final stages. Ancelotti, even without making any changes, managed to raise the center of gravity and close the enormous spaces of the first half, even if Dortmund again scared Courtois (by the way: great return) with a header from the usual Fullkrug. Kroos he soiled his gloves Kobel with a punishment of his own, Carvajal he did the general rehearsal for what would happen shortly after, sending the ball wide following the development of a corner. In the 74th minute, when Wembley was starting to enter extra time, here was the match-breaking play: an amazing number from Vinicius to propitiate a corner kick splendidly taken by Kroos and transformed into gold by Carvajal, for the 1-0 Madrid. Borussia saw the world collapse around them, aware that the Spaniards, once in the lead, would be able to enjoy boundless spaces and strike again. Bellingham came very close in the 77th minute (great defensive intervention by Schlotterbeck), Kobel saved from Kroos, Camavinga and Nacho, but could do nothing when Bellingham, served by a bad mistake by Maatsen, released Vinicius, relentless as usual ( 83′). From there it was just a matter of waiting for the final jubilation, even if football lovers were able to enjoy Kroos’ farewell, to whom Ancelotti granted the well-deserved standing ovation in favor of Modric.
King Charles becomes a legend: 5 Champions League wins, never anyone like him
Rey Carlo, King Charles, Charlemagne: since last night the football world has indulged in nicknames, but the substance does not change. With this one from Wembley we are at 29 coaching trophiesamong which the 5 Champions Leagues won between Milan (2003, 2007) and Real Madrid (2014, 2022, 2024) stand out, which could become 30 already on 14 August, when the European Super Cup against Gasperini’s Atalanta in Warsaw. Frightening numbers for a coach who was too soon branded as “finished” after his experiences with Napoli and Everton and was reborn, however, in the summer of 2021, when Perez called him back to the Casa Blanca. The truth is that Ancelotti is not the best coach in the world in the strict sense, but the best at managing heavy dressing rooms and pressure that would crush anyone else: just think that Florentino, even before having lifted the trophy, has already talked about winning the next.
Ancelotti: “You never get used to it, the dream continues! We live for evenings like this.”
“You never get used to winning, also because it was tough and more than expected – his words at the end of the challenge -. In the first half we suffered a lot, in the second half we did better. This is a dream that continues, it’s all very beautiful: having won five Champions League is not as important as spending evenings like these. This second part of my career in Madrid seems like a dream, let’s hope we don’t wake up. Florentino Perez he was very happy, he is the key to everything and with this success he surpasses the Bernabeu and confirms himself as a great president. This triumph has the same flavor as the others, with great suffering and great joy. The key is the history of this club, I do what I can.”
