Real Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti became the first coach in the history of the Champions League to play in the final for the sixth time.

Ancelotti, who played his first final with Milan in the 2002/03 season, lost the final this time with Milan in the 2004/05 season. He won the Champions League title once again in the 2006/07 season.

In the 2013/14 season, he won the final with Real Madrid. He achieved victory again with Real Madrid in the 2021/22 season. In the 2023/24 season, they eliminated Bayern Munich and became Dortmund's opponent in the final.

Thus, Ancelotti went down in football history as the first coach to reach the final six times, three with Milan and three with Real Madrid. He is also the only coach in football history who won four Champions League.

The Italian coach also reached the semi-finals four times and the quarter-finals three times.

In his career, Ancelotti has coached teams such as Juventus, Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Ancelotti's honors

It is impossible to list all the trophies won by one of the best managers in the history of football. However, some of the achievements of Papa Carlo, who won five major league championships, should be mentioned here.

AC Milan

  • Serie A: 2003/04
  • Coppa Italia: 2002/03
  • Supercoppa Italiana: 2004/05
  • UEFA Champions League: 2002/03, 2006/07
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2003/04, 2007/08
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

Chelsea

  • Premier League: 2009/10
  • English FA Cup: 2009/10
  • English Super Cup: 2009/10

Paris Saint-Germain

  • Ligue 1: 2012/13

Real Madrid

  • La Liga: 2021/22, 2023/24
  • Copa del Rey: 2013/14, 2022/23
  • Supercopa de España: 2021/22, 2023/24
  • UEFA Champions League: 2013/14, 2021/22
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2014/15, 2022/23
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2014/15, 2022/23

Bayern Munich

  • Bundesliga: 2016/17
  • DFL-Supercup: 2016/17, 2017/18

What happened in the last match?

In the Champions League semi-final rematch, Real Madrid, which fell behind 1-0 against Bayern Munich, won 2-1 with two goals scored in three minutes in the last moments and advanced to the final.

While the first match in Munich ended in a 2-2 draw, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid finally determined who would go to the final in the rematch game played at Santiago Bernabeu.

The first half of the match, which ended in a goalless draw, was marked by the saves of Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Although Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo had clear scoring opportunities, the German team's 38-year-old goalkeeper Neuer did not allow it.

Alphonso Davies, who replaced the injured Serge Gnabry in the 27th minute of the match, scored a great goal in the 68th minute and put Bayern Munich ahead 1-0. During the Bayern counterattack, Davies moved from the left wing after Kane's pass and managed to send the ball into the net with a shot with his back foot as soon as he entered the penalty area.

In the 81st minute, Real Madrid increased its pressure with Joselu and Brahim Diaz entering the game, and after Neuer's mistake in the 88th minute, Joselu made the score 1-1. Neuer, who deflected Vinicius Jr's shot from outside the penalty area, almost offered the goal to Joselu, who was following the position in front of the goal.

Real Madrid, which lost the game completely to Bayern Munich after drawing the score, found the leading goal in the 92nd minute. In the chaos that followed the corner kick, Joselu sent the ball into the net, which Rudiger turned from the left into the penalty area, and put Real Madrid ahead 2-1. The goal, which was initially canceled due to offside, was deemed valid after the VAR check.

At the end of the match, 15 minutes of extra time was played, and as there was no other goal in the remaining minutes, Real Madrid won 2-1 and advanced to the final by eliminating Bayern Munich with a 4-3 advantage in total.

Post-match feelings

Don Carlo also shared his feelings after the game about their result: "We played well, I think it was a tough game but we had control, we did not lose our heads when they scored and we got back into it. I would like to the fans, the club and above all, the players, they have delivered a season nobody expected, myself included. I did not imagine that this squad would be capable of what they have achieved. Making the final... We are going to have a great time with the fans because we are going to celebrate LaLiga in the coming days, I want a time to celebrate, to go to Cibeles. There is a happiness which is contagious for the players."

He also praised Joselu: "He is a reflection of the team because he has contributed so much this season. He has not had a lot of game time but he is the perfect reflection of what this team is all about. He has given us so much, without ever losing confidence in what he is capable of."

History is repeating itself

Two seasons ago, in the semi-final against Manchester City, where Real Madrid were trailing in the last minutes, they scored two goals in two minutes, took the match to extra time, and advanced to the final with the goal they scored in extra time. Real Madrid, who faced Liverpool in the final, managed to lift the cup.

Waiting for the final

Real Madrid, which are the most successful team in the history of the tournament with 14 trophies, wants to increase its number of trophies to 15 this year.

The final match will be played at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on Saturday, June 1.