BVB dominate for long spells and unluckily lose 2-0 (2024)

Boris Rupert reporting from London

The 86,000 fans at Wembley Stadium marvelled at the courageous display from the Black & Yellows, who clearly dominated the first half and had five clear chances (Madrid had none)– including Füllkrug hitting the post. It was even for long spells in the second period before Carvajal (74) andVinicius Junior (83) struck a double-blow to decide the game.

The scenario:
It was Borussia Dortmund's third time in the final (victory against Juventus in 1997, defeat to Bayern Munich in 2013). Real Madrid were in the final of the European Champions Cup or the UEFA Champions League for the 18th time and had only lost three previous finals, most recently in 1981.

Personnel matters:
BVB started with the same line-up that played against Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final.

Tactics:
Real Madrid played in a 4-4-2 formation with a diamond in midfield. Kroos dropped back between the two central defenders during the build-up play. The record champions were restrained and seemingly did not want to get hit on the counter. Borussia lined up in their usual 4-3-3 formation with Can as the sole defensive midfielder in front of the back four. During build-up play he was supported by Maatsen, who then pushed from the left of defence into central midfield.

The match & analysis:
BVB made a focused and courageous start to the match, embraced the challenges, won the majority of them, were the more present team and had the first big chance to make it 1-0 in the 14th minute. Schlotterbeck passed it to Füllkrug, who pulled away and played the ball back to the advancing Brandt in the box. He got to the ball in a centre-left position but fired it one or two metres wide of the right post under pressure. The Black & Yellows persisted and continued to make their mark. Hummels set Adeyemi in motion with a dream pass. The BVB striker sprinted towards Courtois and carried the ball past the keeper but took it slightly too far to the left, creating too tight an angle and allowing centre-backs Rüdiger and Nacho to put the ball behind for a corner (21).

The next opportunity for the Black & Yellows came two minutes later. Maatsen intercepted a Real attack and played the ball from the halfway line to Füllkrug, who then poked the ball past the advancing Courtois while losing his footing and struck the post (23)! While the defence largely kept the Real attack away from their own goal, the BVB attack created their fourth top opportunity in the 28th minute: Brandt played a spectacular pass to Adeyemi, who outmanoeuvred Carvajal on the left flank and shot from a narrow angle. Courtois managed to get a hand to the ball and prevent the – overdue – opener. Only one thing was missing from an outstanding first half: a goal. Sabitzer also got unlucky. His powerful long-range strike was turned behind for a corner by Courtois, albeit with difficulty (41). Schlotterbeck and Sabitzer were yellow-carded for dissent, as was Vinicius for a foul on Kobel.

BVB continued where they had left off after the interval and attacked courageously. There was, however, also an early opportunity for Madrid, who had gone forward at speed for the first time and were awarded a free-kick on the left of the box. Kroos stepped up but Kobel was on hand and clawed the ball away from the top corner (49). Overall though, Los Blancos looked frustrated. Carvajal was lucky that his action against Adeyemi was not interpreted as violent conduct (57). And Borussia continued to pose a threat. Adeyemi, who had been fed by Brandt, crossed from the left into the box,Füllkrug dashed in from the rightand Courtois saved his powerful header (63).

Reus replaced the eye-catching Adeyemi with 20 minutes remaining. Real won a corner-kick shortly afterwards which appeared to have been dealt with, but the men from Madrid won another corner. Kroos delivered it onto the head of Carvajal, who made it 1-0 (74). Bellingham was presented with the chance to make it 2-0 but fired narrowly wide. Malen and Haller came on, then Kobel made three excellent saves and kept his team in the match. Real now had the majority of the chances (7-6) and upped their lead: Maatsen's misplaced pass was converted by Vinicius Junior, who had been set up by Bellingham (83). Füllkrug's goal was then disallowed for offside (88).

Teams & goals

UEFA Champions League Final
BORUSSIA DORTMUND 0-2 (0-0) REAL MADRID

Bor. Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen – Can (Malen, 80) – Sabitzer, Brandt (Haller, 80) – Sancho (Bynoe-Gittens, 87), Füllkrug, Adeyemi (Reus, 72)
Real Madrid: Courtois – Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy – Camavinga – Fede Valverde, Kroos (Modric, 81) – Bellingham (Joselu, 85) – Rodrygo (Militao, 90), Vinicius Junior (Vazquez, 90+4)
Substitutes: Meyer, Lotka; Süle, Wätjen, Wolf, Moukoko, Özcan, Nmecha – Kepa, Lunin; Alaba, Fran Garcia, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, Tchouameni, Brahim Diaz
Goals: 0-1 Carvajal (Kroos, 74), 0-2 Vinicius Junior (Bellingham, 83)
Corners: 9-8 (5-1 at half-time), chance ratio: 7-8 (5-0)
Referee: Vincic (Slovenia), yellow cards: Schlotterbeck, Sabitzer, Hummels – Vinicius Junior
Attendance: 86,212 (sold-out), weather: overcast, 13 degrees