When Real Madrid feature in a Champions League final, they do not simply play; they arrive with a singular mission—to lift the trophy. And in Paris, on a chaotic night fraught with off-field disarray, they once again affirmed their mystique, securing a 14th European crown with a display that felt more like fate than football.
At the heart of this triumph was Thibaut Courtois, whose goalkeeping performance bordered on the supernatural. Madrid had relied on miracles throughout their campaign, and at the Stade de France, Courtois delivered yet another—a defiant, logic-defying performance that stifled a dominant Liverpool side.
A Night of Chaos and Resilience
For Liverpool’s fans, the night began in confusion and ended in heartbreak. Outside the Stade de France, fans were subjected to inexplicable gate closures and pepper spray, creating a tense and chaotic environment. The kick-off was delayed by 36 minutes, but the disruption extended beyond the stands. The Liverpool squad, delayed in traffic, arrived amid uncertainty about their starting eleven, with Thiago Alcântara’s fitness an enigma until the teams emerged on the pitch.
However, once the game began, Liverpool sought to impose order. Their midfield executed coordinated moves, seamlessly linking with the forward line, dominating possession, and creating wave after wave of attacks. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mané looked menacing, exposing Madrid’s backline time and again. Yet every promising moment collided with an unassailable wall—Courtois.
Salah’s early efforts were met with reflex saves, and Mané’s seemingly goal-bound strike was miraculously tipped onto the post. Liverpool had Madrid on the ropes, registering ten shots to their opponent’s solitary attempt by halftime. But the missed opportunities hinted at an ominous truth: in football, especially against Madrid, domination without conversion invites disaster.
Madrid’s Tactical Shift and the Moment of Truth
Madrid’s first-half struggle demanded a response, and Carlo Ancelotti delivered it with a subtle tactical adjustment. He overloaded the right side of midfield, creating space on the left, where Vinícius Júnior lurked with intent. The shift paid off when Fede Valverde whipped a low, driven cross into the box, evading the scrambling Liverpool defence and finding Vinícius. Unmarked at the far post, the young Brazilian slotted the ball home, leaving Alexander-Arnold in his wake.
Liverpool pressed for an equalizer, but fate seemed to favour Madrid. Salah, desperate to avenge the defeat in Kyiv four years earlier, continued to threaten, only to be denied time and again by Courtois. The Belgian keeper’s finest moment came late in the match when Salah weaved through the Madrid defence and unleashed a curling shot—only for Courtois to parry it with his outstretched right hand. It was a save destined to linger in Champions League folklore.
The Architect of a Legacy: Ancelotti’s Masterstroke
While much credit belongs to the heroes on the pitch, Real Madrid’s triumph is also a testament to the quiet genius of Carlo Ancelotti. When Ancelotti returned to Madrid in 2021, he inherited a club at a crossroads. The shadow of Zinedine Zidane’s departure loomed large, and the squad, though rich in talent, needed recalibration.
Ancelotti’s brilliance lies not merely in tactical acumen but in man-management—an ability to balance the old guard while nurturing young talents. He gave Vinícius Júnior the freedom to evolve from a raw, erratic winger into a lethal forward. Ancelotti recognized that the Brazilian’s fixation on dribbling was inhibiting his growth, urging him to adopt a more decisive approach. The result? Vinícius transformed into the perfect complement to Karim Benzema, becoming the Robin to the Frenchman’s Batman.
The Italian tactician also dared to move beyond glamour signings. Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale, once central to Madrid’s ambitions, were gradually sidelined. Younger talents—Fede Valverde, Eder Militão, and Rodrygo—were entrusted with key roles, creating a dynamic squad that blended experience with exuberance. Madrid, a club notorious for draining young potential, now found itself flourishing under the stewardship of Ancelotti.
A Legacy Etched in Silver
Ancelotti’s return to Madrid is a story of redemption. He took over at a time when the club demanded not just results but a stylistic overhaul. In seasons past, he had faced similar challenges. At Chelsea, he wanted Andrea Pirlo but turned Michael Essien into an effective playmaker instead. At Madrid in 2013, he reinvented Ángel Di María, converting him from a winger into a midfield maestro behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema.
This ability to adapt—blending pragmatism with vision—has become the hallmark of Ancelotti’s career. His decisions are not without cost; his refusal to indulge Florentino Pérez’s demands to play Martin Ødegaard or alter Gareth Bale’s role in 2015 contributed to his dismissal. Yet, these same qualities have made him indispensable. His second stint at Madrid exemplifies that success requires not just tactical brilliance but the courage to resist external pressures.
In winning his fourth Champions League as a manager—a feat unmatched in modern football—Ancelotti joins the pantheon of legends. His Madrid is not just a collection of stars but a cohesive unit built on trust and purpose. While Modrić, Benzema, and Courtois will rightfully bask in the glory, Ancelotti’s fingerprints are etched across this campaign.
Don Carlo: The Eternal Maestro
There is a reason they call him "Don Carlo!" Ancelotti is not merely a manager; he is an alchemist, turning challenges into opportunities, and stars into legends. Under his watch, Real Madrid has claimed five Champions League titles in nine years—a feat that borders on the mythic. In Paris, amid the chaos and beauty of a Champions League final, Ancelotti proved once again that his genius is not just in winning but in creating enduring legacies.
Madrid’s 14th Champions League triumph is not just a victory; it is a culmination of philosophy, resilience, and belief. It is a testament to the fact that in football, as in life, those who adapt, persevere, and believe are the ones who ultimately lift the crown.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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