8 non-negotiable starters for Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
By Kian Long
Now that La Liga service is over for the season, Real Madrid will now look ahead to the UEFA Champions League final. They will face Borussia Dortmund in London on June 1, with Carlo Ancelotti hoping to cap off a pretty impressive treble. That said, here are 8 non-negotiable starters for Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund.
8 non-negotiable starters for Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
1. Thibaut Courtois
Given that he started in the last Liga match against Real Betis, it is assumed that Carlo Ancelotti has Thibaut Courtois in mind for the upcoming Champions League final. The Belgian is best-placed to start, given his immense experience in the competition.
Courtois was pivotal to the last Real Madrid team who won the competition in 2022, so having him back available for selection is a welcomed boost for Carlo Ancelotti.
2. Dani Carvajal
Given that Dani Carvajal was subbed off in the final Liga match, it is an indication that he will start in the Champions League final. While he did not play great against Betis, Dani Carvajal has won the Champions League five times and his class is never up for debate. Therefore, he will be eager to start in the final, with the hopes of adding a sixth medal to his already impressive collection.
3. Antonio Rudiger
The centre-back partnership is still up in the air but the consensus is that Rudiger should be one of the two options for Carlo Ancelotti. Having won the Champions League with Chelsea, the Germany international will be eager to beat the team from his home country to lift his first UCL with Real Madrid.
4. Ferland Mendy
One of the better performers for Real Madrid vs Real Betis, the Frenchman Ferland Mendy will be eager to start in the Champions League. After all, with the transfer talk of the summer transfer window, it might well be Mendy's final game for the club. It would be fitting to see him leave while winning the Champions League for the second time.
5. Toni Kroos
In what will be his final Real Madrid game ever, Toni Kroos will be eager to lift the Champions League for the sixth time in his career (fifth with Real Madrid). Kroos is retiring at the right time for him but there is no denying that he has the potential to play as the most important and influential player on the pitch against Borussia Dortmund.
READ MORE: 3 Toni Kroos replacements on the Real Madrid transfer shortlist
6. Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham has been one of the best players for Real Madrid this season. It will be the Englishman's first Champions League final but it is an opportunity he will capitalise on. Already proving himself to be a big-game player, Jude Bellingham is a non-negotiable starter for Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund, his former club.
7. Vinicius Junior
A contender for the Ballon d'Or award this year, Vinicius Junior has the opportunity to essentially secure that for himself with an excellent Champions League final performance.
8. Rodrygo
Partly to thank for Real Madrid reaching the final for his incredible display in the quarterfinal is Rodrygo. Without a doubt, he is in the mind of Carlo Ancelotti as a non-negotiable starter for Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund.
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