LONDON – Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid achieved a “10 out of 10” season after winning the Champions League for a record 15th time with a 2-0 victory on Saturday against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Real, who also won the LaLiga title in Spain, sealed their victory against Dortmund with two goals late in the second half from Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior.
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The success was Ancelotti's fifth Champions League title as manager (another record) and Real's Toni Kroos, Carvajal, Luka Modric and Nacho also joined club legend Paco Gento in six Champions League wins as players.
While Madrid once again emerged as European champions, Dortmund were unlucky not to spring a major upset in London, the scene of their 2013 final defeat against Bayern Munich.
Edin Terzic's team dominated the first half, but Julian Brandt, Niclas Füllkrug and Karim Adeyemi missed clear chances to open the scoring.
“[Dortmund] They played better than us and had more opportunities than us, but they let us go 0-0 at half-time,” Ancelotti said. “In the second half we had more balance, we played better and we managed to win the game.
“I think this season we had many, many problems. We lost quality players and had to replace their ability with commitment.
“To win the Champions League you need sacrifice and quality, but this victory leaves me very satisfied because we never give up and always fight until the end.
“So I would rate us a 10 out of 10 this season. This season it's been 10/10. My players have been spectacular.”
Having won the club's 15th Champions League, Ancelotti said Real's attention will quickly turn to winning it for the 16th time next season.
“That's how things are, that's how football is,” he said. “What's going on in my head? Everyone is hoping to win a ninth [Champions League] consecutive finals and the danger of not winning them was real: Dortmund was an uncomfortable opponent for us.
“In this Club there is a continuous demand and we are never satisfied. After the Euro Cup and the Copa América, the players will return with the same hunger and ambition as before.
“This competition has given me fantastic happiness, but the goal is to try to feel some happiness after this match. I am lucky to be in the best club in the world.”
German international Füllkrug almost broke the deadlock when he hit the post in the 24th minute.
Madrid struggled to get into the match, with former Dortmund star Jude Bellingham ruled out by his former teammates.
But after weathering the storm of the first half, Real calmed down in the second half and finally asserted their dominance before Carvajal and Vinícius scored the decisive goals.
“It was a very difficult match,” Carvajal told Movistar. “In the first half we came out alive, they were much better. We knew our moment would come… We knew how to suffer. That's football.”
Ancelotti, for his part, paid tribute to midfielder Kroos, who played his last game in club football.
With Kroos retiring after Euro 2024, Ancelotti joked that Real are now waiting for him to change his mind.
“I am very grateful to Kroos,” he said. “He finished very high, there is no way to finish higher than this. He had the balls to finish.” [his career] and he is a legend in this club.
“All the fans thank him for his attitude and his professionalism. I told him that we are waiting for him to change his mind, we are waiting for you.
“We have lost an important player, but we have players who can replace him and we will adapt and play in a slightly different way.
“We have fantastic players and the resources to remain competitive.”
