FANS' VIEW: Big-game players prove their worth for Real

In dire need of some football therapy after the traumatic events of a fortnight ago, and in the spirit of when you fall off your bike, the best thing is to get straight back on it, I made my way to Wembley to watch another team in yellow take on another team in white for the 2024 Champions League Trophy - Borussia Dortmund facing Real Madrid.

After a long drive down to Canon Park station, it was only three stops into Wembley Park. Arriving in good time meant I could finish my lunch off with home-made apple crumble and custard, surrounded by mostly Real Madrid fans. A quick rendition of Ivan Campo quickly endeared us to them and mention of Fernando Hierro had them looking on Google Maps for where Bolton is.

Walking up Wembley Way was a pleasure compared to the absolute chaos of the EURO 2020 final against Italy. There were no problems at all as both sets of fans marched towards the stadium in their colours. The excitement was mounting as we found our seats on the back row of block 531 - a superb view, but no oxygen available if we needed it! We were surrounded by Real fans with the odd Dortmund supporter scattered here and there.

The pre-match build up was excellent as both sets of fans warmed up and the ground staff were amazing, when they covered the pitch and set up a stage, complete with flame burners for Lenny Kravitz to perform, just 15 minutes before kick off. Equally impressive was the speed and efficiency with which they cleared it all away as the teams came out for the match.

Both sets of fans were brilliant as they revealed their giant flags with the Dortmund one being absolutely brilliant with its crowned top. In fact, Dortmund won the battle of the fans with their famous yellow wall bouncing up and down in well-choreographed manoeuvres, a sight to behold. At the beginning of the second half, there was a brilliant scene as the whole of the Dortmund end lit up with red flares. How that got past the stewards, I don’t know?

The match had hardly started when five idiots attempted to invade the pitch. Two succeeded and one of them was brought down by a magnificent tackle, which would not look out of place at next week’s Rugby League Challenge Cup final. Play got under way again, and Dortmund showed they were up for it, having the best of the first half, missing several good chances to take the lead.

Carlo Ancelotti must have had a word at half time and told the Real players to stop diving and start playing as they came out and dominated the second half. Eventually, Dani Carvajal took a leaf out of Eoin Toal’s book and nodded in from a corner.

Real were up and running and their fans went bonkers. Not long after, a bad Dortmund pass went straight to Jude Bellingham, who put Vinicius Junior in to finish the job. Once again Real Madrid had rode their luck in the first half and come back in the second half to win.

Fifteen times winners of the competition shows they have the big-game mentality. Perhaps they could bottle it and let Bolton have some!