🔴FA Cup Upset & Champions League🏆

Will Madrid claim a record 15th European Cup under the Wembley arch?

Hey there MVP,

That was a sensational FA Cup final! Not only because of the quality of some of the play from the players and tactics on show from both managers; but because the clear favourites got a stiff jab from a written-off underdog.

And now, we look ahead to the Champions League final as Real Madrid look to claim a record-breaking 15th European Cup! Borussia Dortmund and a certain Jadon Sancho stand in their way.

In other news, Mason Greenwood is back in the news and the big Saudi clubs are planning massive summer moves for a bunch of Premier League stars. Don’t miss the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday evening. 

Today's game plan:

• Don’t Miss This Game 🎯

• This Week’s Shocker 🤬

• Around The World 🌍

• Games to Keep an Eye On 👀

• Goat Trivia 🐐 

• Meme of the Week 😂

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid | Saturday | 20:00 IST

Finally, it’s Champions League final week. This year, the 69th European Cup final, the stage is set for an electric Champions League final. Wembley Stadium, plays host to Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid. 

This final sees 1-time Champions League winners Dortmund play the 14-time winners, and European royalty, Real Madrid in a battle for European club football’s top prize.

Form & Team News

Borussia Dortmund come into this game on the back of a ropey end to the league season in Germany. In fact, over the course of the 2023/24 season, Dortmund have displayed a mix of intense European performances contrasted against a pretty disappointing domestic campaign. Dortmund finished fifth in the Bundesliga. 

Dortmund’s path to the 2024 Champions League final included victories over PSV, Atlético Madrid, and Paris Saint Germain. If you think back to the group stages last year, Dortmund actually navigated their way through what many considered to be among the toughest groups.
After tight games against Paris Saint-Germain AC Milan and Newcastle United in the group, they went on to beat PSV, Atletico Madrid, and then PSG in the knockout stages. Dortmund’s approach to these matches showed a well-honed capability to exploit space, especially when playing against more attacking teams. Their recent form has been up and down, with the team winning three of their last five matches, but losing twice. Their most recent match was a commanding 4-nil win over Darmstadt in their final Bundesliga game. 

Borussia Dortmund have no major injury concerns ahead of the final. The squad is at full strength, and manager Edin Terzić has veterans to choose from including Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, who’s experience will be pivotal against Madrid. Incredibly, the Man U United man Jadon Sancho will play i9n the final of Europe’s premier club competition.

Our predicted lineup for Borussia Dortmund | Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Can, Sabitzer; Adeyemi, Brandt, Sancho; Füllkrug

On the other side of the spectrum in terms of consistency, there is Real Madrid who have gone on an unbeaten run in this season’s Champions League. The Spanish giants have also cruised to the La Liga title. In Europe, Real Madrid have been relentless in this campaign, never giving up on a game. In the games against RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, and then Manchester City, Madrid’s resilience shone through. They are unbeaten in this season’s Champions League campaign, with a record of eight wins and four draws.

In their last six games, Madrid have kept the unbeaten run going, winning four and drawing two. The most recent result in La Liga was a draw against Real Betis. For Madrid, this unbeaten run in Europe is the first time they have reached a Champions League final without losing a single match. The smoking, gum-chewing legend that is Carlo Ancelotti is getting stronger as he approaches his 70’s!
This Real Madrid team is spearheaded by the youthful energy of Vinícius Júnior who has put i9n big performances in the big games. But the driving force in Madrid’s success this season is their youthful but seasoned midfield with Bellingham driving forward ahead of the laser-like accurate passing and control from Toni Kroos. Madrid will look to dominate possession and utilise their width against Dortmund, whilst Dortmund will look to break quickly on the transitions.

On the injury front Real Madrid are dealing with the news that midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni will not make the Wembley final due to a stress fracture in his foot. The injury occurred during the semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, and despite his efforts to return, Ancelotti has confirmed that Tchouameni will not be fit in time for the final. Eduardo Camavinga is expected to step up and play.

Our predicted lineup for Real Madrid | Courtois; Carvajal, Nacho, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior

This Week’s Shocker

Josko Gvardiol has been in fine form for Man City on the final stretch of the season. But in the FA Cup final, he made a big blunder to gift Garnacho the opening goal. 

Around the world…

🇸🇦 Saudi club lining up massive Premier League signings 

Saudi club giants with the backing of the PIF are prepared to pay big money in their attempt to sign Premier league stars. Players such as Mo Salah, Alisson Becker, Kyle Walker and Matheus Nunes are all targets. 

🇪🇸 Mason Greenwood named Getafe’s player of the season 

In la Liga, Getafe have named Manchester United loanee, Mason Greenwood as their player of the season. Greenwood has been good from the start, being a threat from the right wing and popping up with some beautiful goals. Greenwood’s future is uncertain at this point.  

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Rumours about the Manchester United manager role continue 

Despite having just won the FA Cup against City, Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag is apparently at risk of having his contract terminated. The Man United manager responded strongly to questions about his position before and after the final, but there are strong rumours that a list of 5 managers is being considered. 

🇩🇪 Leverkusen get smacked by Atalanta in the Europa League final

In the Europa league final last Wednesday, Bayern Leverkusen were sat down by Atalanta in a smashing 3-nil for the Italian club. Adamola Lookman

Games to keep an eye on…

Olympiacos vs Fiorentina | Wednesday | 20:00 BST

On Wednesday night there is the Europa Conference League final between Olympiacos and Fiorentina. The smart money is on the Italian side who are doing well in Europe this season.  

Atalanta vs Fiorentina | Sunday | 17:00 BST

These two sides play their final Seria A game of the season. Fiorentina probably won’t care too much as they are focusing on the Conference League final, but if Atalanta win they will take 3rd place from Juventus! 

England vs Bosnia-Herzegovina | Monday | 19:45 BST 

This international friendly is being played at St James Park because Wembley is hosting the Champions League final. Regardless, England will be looking to get the confidence up with a strong performance. All eyes on who Southgate picks in the midfield.  

Scotland vs Gibraltar | Monday | 19:45 BST

Scotland prepare for the Euros with this international friendly against European minnows Gibraltar. This Scotland squad needs to settle the nerves and realise that the fans just want them to show up, and put in a proper performance. No major expectations.

Germany vs Ukraine  | Monday | 19:45 BST

A big one for Germany, as this is their penultimate pre-tournament friendly. They play Ukraine in what is a big test for both teams.  

GOAT Trivia

Say congrats to

Kyle Walker [@kylewalker2]. The Manchester City and England full back turns 34 on the 28th of May.

On this day in football

On May 28th, 2011 Pep guardiola’s Barcelona destroyed Manchester United in the Champions League final. Barca’s 3-1 victory over United was the pinnacle of Guardiola’s philosophy. 

After Pedro got an early goal, Wayne Rooney pretty got an equaliser soon after, but quickfire second-half goals from Messi and then David Villa wrapped up one of the most dominant performances the Champions League has ever seen.

Goal of the week

Our goal of the week has to be Kobbie Mainoo’s classy finish in the FA Cup final. This guy is 19 and already establishing himself.  

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