While Manchester City fans look for FA Cup Final tickets at Wembley, there will be no doubt be one or two confident Real Madrid fans making enquiries about Champions League final tickets there the following week. Los Blancos victory over City made them strong favourites to go all the way and lift the trophy for the 15th time. But how are they actually shaping up to do so?
Real Madrid have improved considerably on last season in terms of their defensive efforts, despite losing Eder Militao for the majority of the season, Thibaut Courtois for the entire campaign, and David Alaba since the start of 2024. Dani Carvajal is playing his best football possibly of his career, as he demonstrated against Jack Grealish in the quarter-finals, and Ferland Mendy remains unbeatable one-on-one for Europe’s top wingers.
In the middle, Antonio Rudiger has led the backline impressively, and for the first time in a while, Carlo Ancelotti will have a choice to make alongside him against Bayern Munich. Eder Militao would’ve been the first choice last season, but is just returning to fitness. Nacho Fernandez is the next most logical alternative, but the away leg against City aside, has been in poor form of late. Their best defending this season has been done with Aurelien Tchouameni at the back though, with the Frenchman giving up very little whenever used there.
In midfield, Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde are competing for the best midfielder of the season title, although the German is a little off his peak this season in recent weeks. Valverde remains tireless, and against a German side that will no doubt look to exploit counter-attacks, it looks more likely Eduardo Camavinga will add pace and strength in the middle, as well as the power to dominate space. Luka Modric makes more sense as an impact substitute, despite his good form of late, although if Tchouameni is not used in defence, he might return to the middle of the park too.
Vinicius Junior has been battling fatigue in recent weeks, but also fairly lethal in front of goal. Jude Bellingham continues to be a threat, but having been pushed out to the right more in recent weeks, the Englishman is leading Los Blancos without the ball more than with it. In a front three that is a little less than vintage by Real Madrid standards, they continue to find a way, and if Rodrygo Goes is on the left, it means a bit less of Bellingham and Vinicius, but a lot more of Rodrygo.
Ancelotti will have to select which player’s attributes should prioritised against Bayern, but Rodrygo does look the freshest of the three. His return to the left side has also quietened calls for Brahim Diaz to come into the side, with the Moroccan showing Rodrygo up on the right to a degree.
We can afford to rest players now.
Ancelotti knows what he is doing.
Mr. Antelot please kindly put up the best and strongest team full of veterans such as Luka Modrich and Tonny Croos for the Bayen Munichen encounter. Remember this, the cup is already knocking at your doors. Long live Real Madrid.