Real Madrid confirmed starting lineup vs Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final

On the eve of Real Madrid’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium, head coach Carlo Ancelotti cleared up the main doubt in relation to his starting lineup for the game London - Thibaut Courtois will start in goal ahead of Andriy Lunin.

Courtois confirmed as starting goalkeeper against Dortmund

“Courtois will play,” the Italian stated in matter-of-fact fashion in his pre-match press conference. Lunin, who has deputised admirably for much of the season, has been suffering from flu this week, making Ancelotti’s decision that bit easier.

The Belgian, the undisputed starting goalkeeper when fit, will therefore play behind 10 outfield players who pick themselves, given who is available. Last Sunday’s match against Real Betis, as well as being an emotional farewell for Toni Kroos at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, was the dress rehearsal for the final, with the same eleven players expected to play from the off at Wembley.

Nacho over Militão, Camavinga replaces injured Tchouaméni

As a result, club captain Nacho will be Antonio Rüdiger’s partner in central defence, with Eder Militão still lacking match sharpness having missed the vast majority of the season because of an ACL tear. They will be flanked, as usual, by Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy, who will be tasked with preventing the lively Dortmund duo of Jadon Sancho and Karim Adeyemi from supplying central striker Niclas Füllkrug with any kind of service.

In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga will be the beneficiary of compatriot Aurélien Tchouaméni being ruled out with a foot injury. The Frenchman will line up in a midfield three alongside Kroos, in his last ever appearance in the famous white jersey, and the tireless Fede Valverde. The energy and stamina of the two younger midfielders should free up Kroos to pull the strings, with the Uruguayan in particular expected to get forward in support of Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.

How will the front three link up? Ancelotti has tried different attacking systems in previous games. On paper, Bellingham will act as the playmaker and will drift out to the left, with the Brazilian duo staying higher up the field. However, moving Rodrygo over to the left, as happened against Manchester City in the quarter-finals, could be an option, which would allow Vinícius to play closer to goal.

Real Madrid’s confirmed starting XI against Borussia Dortmund

Courtois; Carvajal, Nacho, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius.

Lunin is fit enough to take up a place on the bench as Courtois’ back-up, where he started the season.

In addition to Tchouaméni, centre-back David Alaba is the only other injury absentee for Real Madrid. The Austrian has been sidelined since December after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament. Both players have been named on the bench for the game but only as they were part of the travelling party. Neither is expected to feature.