Tuesday, November 5, 2024

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL NOTEBOOK: Mourinho accuses Ten Hag of one FAIL

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Real Madrid‘s dominance of the European Cup continued on Saturday night after they won the competition for a record-extending 15th time at Wembley.

The Spanish giants battled and overcame a brilliant Borussia Dortmund side to emerge victorious 2-0.

Carlo Ancelotti‘s side took the lead late on in the second half through Dani Carvajal’s header before Vinicius Jnr completed the scoreline swiftly afterwards.

It was gutting for Dortmund who dominated the first half and should have taken a deserved advantage at the break.

Mail Sport’s SAMI MOKBEL was at Wembley Stadium to note what else happened away from the main action…

Real Madrid were crowned champions of Europe for a record-extending 15th time on Saturday

 

Jose Mourinho takes aim at Erik ten Hag

Jose Mourinho is on the verge of returning to football with Fenerbahce… but he clearly still keeps an eye on ongoing at Manchester United.

Speaking to TNT Sport, the Special One was asked his opinion on how his former side had handled Jadon Sancho, who started for Borussia Dortmund last night having left Old Trafford on loan in January following a rift with Erik ten Hag.

Mourinho wasn’t backward in coming forward, saying: ‘As a player we know his talent. For sure the kid made mistakes. But for sure also his manager was not able to get the best out of him.

‘If I look to my own history sometimes I failed with players, I couldn’t create the right empathy and I couldn’t understand the player’s DNA, I couldn’t help players to grow in the right direction.’

Mourinho has has agreed a two-year deal with the Turkish side and will reunite with coach Ricardo Formosinho, who worked with him at United and Tottenham.

Jose Mourinho (pictured) criticised Erik ten Hag’s handling of Jadon Sancho
Ten Hag (left) pictured with Sancho in August 2023
Sancho is on loan at Dortmund after falling out with Ten Hag at Man United earlier this season

 

More money, more problems for Wembley security

The FA have splashed £5million on improving their security provisions since the chaos that marred the Euro 2020 final here at Wembley. Hopefully they kept the receipts.

Bolstering the steward presence was among the key improvements made for this Champions League final – the number of around 2,500 for this game the biggest ever deployment for an event at Wembley.

So, you could almost hear the collective groans of disappointment from the FA offices as the start of the game was delayed for a number of minutes owing to rehearsed series of pitch invaders.

‘Entering the pitch is an arrestable offence,’ said the stadium announcer at half-time. Errr… too late.

Three pitch invaders stormed the Wembley turf in the opening minute of Saturday’s showpiece
It is three years ago this summer that Wembley was the scene of drink and drug fulled chaos

 

Jurgen Klopp can’t escape ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’

The cameras panned to Jurgen Klopp as the Yellow Wall broke into song. He simply couldn’t resist singing along.

The song: You’ll Never Walk Alone, of course.

The anthem synonymous with Liverpool, the club Klopp departed just weeks ago following his historic nine year reign, has been adopted by Borussia Dortmund – the team the revered German coach departed in 2015 prior to his move to Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp (centre) was in fine voice as he sang a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’

 

Will Edin Terzic remain at Borussia Dortmund?

It will be interesting to see how Edin Terzic’s future develops in the coming weeks. The Borussia Dortmund has underlined his growing reputation as one of Europe’s top young coaches in leading his side to last night’s final.

But Mail Sport understands the German-Croatian is keeping his options open heading into the close season.

The 41-year-old first joined Borussia’s staff in 2010, so has a clear emotional attachment to the club.

But an opportunity to join a traditionally bigger European side could interest Terzic.

Edin Terzic’s stock continues to rise – with the Dortmund manager attracting many suitors

 

Football royalty enjoy a chat ahead of kick-off

The X-factor on a Saturday night? No? What about the F-Factor – Fergie and Figo…

The legendary duo were caught deep in conversation by the in-stadium cameras ahead of kick-off here at Wembley.

Sir Alex Ferguson cut a relaxed figure, in stark contrast to last week as he watched nervously on as his beloved Manchester United won the FA Cup against arch-rivals City.

Luis Figo, fresh from playing at the Champions League legends tournament at Somerset House this week, appeared just as breezy looking slick in sharp black suit.

Luis Figo (far left) and Sir Alex Ferguson (far right) enjoyed a chat before the final at Wembley

 

Bittersweet moment for Andriy Lunin

Spare a thought for Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who took his place on the Real Madrid bench on Saturday night.

Lunin had played in eight of the club’s Champions League matches en route to the final.

Thibaut Courtois, on the other hand, was making his first Champions League appearance of the season here at Wembley following a season that has been ravaged by injury.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin had to watch their victory from the substitutes bench

No-one can deny that Courtois, Real’s undisputed No 1 is the superior keeper. Indeed the Belgian made a string of vital stops to keep his side on level terms.

But football often finds a way of slapping you square in the chops, you’d forgive Lunin for believing this was one of those nights.

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