Real-ity Bites

There's just something special about Real Madrid and the UEFA Champions League. It started in the 1950s with the great Alfredo di Stefano tradition; when they miraculously won the first 5 editions. After a somewhat barren period; they came back to the fore again in the 21st century; with Zinedine Zidane's iconic left-foot volley against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002; and Gareth Bale's spellbinding bicycle kick against Liverpool back in 2018. Along the way; they had some inevitable victories against rivals Atletico Madrid; who somehow could never find a way to beat the 'Real phenomenon'. And of course; one of their recent victories over Liverpool just a few years ago was equally memorable; when Liverpool were one of the top teams in the world.

This season; yet again Real have done it again. Borussia Dortmund played well and had their chances. The crucial thing was that they failed to take them; and when you come up against a stronger opposition and don't take your chances; the danger is that the stronger team will 'wake up their idea' and come back and take it. And that's exactly what happened. Karim Adeyemi; one of the celebrated wingers of this Champions League season; was guilty of missing a few gilt-edged chances; notably when his control let him down when he attempted to round Thibaut Courtois in a one-on-one situation.

The second half was a different story. Carlo Ancelotti's half-time pep talk obviously worked; as Real came back with a different proposition. Their resilience and press was up a notch; but it was still a pretty even game when veteran Daniel Carvajal rose unmolested to flick home last-game man Toni Kroos' corner. To be honest; Dortmund had already been warned when Carvajal narrowly missed in an identical situation just moments before. The fire was obviously in his belly; having been frustrated and got into a minor altercation with Adeyemi earlier on in the match.

Dortmund were understandably crestfallen; and the match was sealed when Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen; who had an impressive game otherwise; made an errant mistake; leading to Vinicius Jr scoring the second goal to kill it off. Yet again; Madrid had shown their resilience; their perseverance and their determination; to seal their record-extending 15th European Cup win. We've seen this story before.