It’s just another game for Real Madrid.
The 14-time Champions League winners return to the grandest stage in club football on Saturday when they take on underdogs Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
They’ve rendered such occasions almost insignificant given the frequency at which they’ve arrived since securing La Decima in 2014. Madrid have won all four Champions League finals since their tenth success a decade ago, with Carlo Ancelotti overseeing his sixth managerial bow in the competition’s showpiece event this weekend.
The Spanish champions have the chance to wrap up a superb 2023/24 campaign on Saturday and here’s the starting XI Ancelotti could pick for the final.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – There are few positions of contention in Los Blancos’ starting XI for Saturday’s game, but goalkeeper is certainly one. Courtois is perhaps the best in the world but has only just returned from a lengthy injury absence and it’d be harsh on Andriy Lunin for the Belgian to start the final. It’s a cruel world.
RB: Dani Carvajal – The Madrid stalwart is the only member of the 2013/14 La Decima-winning squad who’s set to be involved in Saturday’s final.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Rudiger has arguably been Europe’s standout centre-back this season and he’ll be aiming to cap his stellar campaign by shutting out compatriot Niclas Fullkrug.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – Eder Militao has several weeks of action under his belt having recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but Ancelotti is set to back captain Nacho to partner Rudiger in the final.
LB: Ferland Mendy – The French left-back has enjoyed a resurgent campaign and his duel with Jadon Sancho won’t want to be missed on Saturday.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – With Aurelien Tchouameni missing out through injury, Camavinga is a shoo-in to start at the base of midfield in the final.
CM: Toni Kroos – Kroos bade farewell to La Liga and the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend and will say his goodbyes to club football on the biggest stage this weekend.
CM: Federico Valverde – There’s set to be industry all over the Wembley turf on Saturday, with Dortmund boasting a litany of dogged workers. Valverde will certainly be able to match their intensity, although the Uruguayan hasn’t particularly impressed during the second half of the season.
AM: Jude Bellingham – Bellingham has plenty to thank Dortmund for but his sole focus will be on downing his former club on home soil in Saturday’s final.
ST: Rodrygo – Could Ancelotti make a change up front? Arda Guler’s productive run has given the Italian food for thought, that’s for sure. However, it’d be a huge call to drop Rodrygo.
ST: Vinicius Junior – The Brazilian is so often the player Madrid turn to under the bright lights and Saturday’s Champions League final could determine whether Vinicius ends up with his first Ballon d’Or. The stage is set.