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04/18 08:27 CDT The ideal Champions League final is within reach if Mbapp and
Real Madrid can deliver
The ideal Champions League final is within reach if Mbapp and Real Madrid can
deliver
By JAMES ROBSON
AP Soccer Writer
The tantalizing prospect of Kylian Mbapp squaring up to Real Madrid in the
Champions League final looms large.
Mbapp becomes a free agent at the end of the season when Madrid is favorite to
finally land the forward it has coveted for so long.
Before that there are trophies to be won, with none bigger in club soccer than
the Champions League.
Madrid has dominated the competition with 14 wins, while Paris Saint-Germain
and Mbapp are still waiting for their first.
Mbapp's imminent departure has partly been attributed to PSG's failure to
transfer its domestic dominance to the continent. How ironic then if the France
forward triumphed in his final year at the club, especially against the team he
looks likeliest to join.
Conversely, a record-extending 15th crown for Madrid at the expense of PSG
would serve only to confirm to Mbapp that his ambitions are best served at
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
With PSG and Madrid kept apart in the draw, either narrative is in play, but
the Champions League has a habit of getting in the way of such well-laid plans.
REVENGE MISSION
A repeat of the 2013 final anyone?
Bayern beat Dortmund the last time the final was staged at Wembley Stadium,
which is the venue again this year. How Dortmund --- then coached by Jurgen
Klopp --- would love to avenge that loss 11 years on.
Dortmund is the outsider to win the trophy having unexpectedly advanced to the
semifinals in a season when it trails German champion Bayer Leverkusen by 23
points and may have to rely on a bonus fifth-place spot to qualify for next
year's Champions League.
PERFECT SENDOFF
Mbappe isn't the only person targeting a fairy tale finale. Bayern coach Thomas
Tuchel is stepping down at season's end after the German giant's 11-year
Bundesliga title-winning streak was broken by Leverkusen.
In a summer when big jobs will be available at the likes of Liverpool and
Barcelona, Tuchel could do with rebuilding his reputation by winning a second
Champions League trophy, having previously lifted it with Chelsea in 2021.
KANE'S WAIT
Harry Kane was expected to finally end his wait to win major silverware when he
joined Bayern from Tottenham last summer.
It hasn't worked out that way so far.
Despite the England striker continuing his outstanding scoring form in Germany
with 39 goals in all competitions, the Champions League is his last chance of a
trophy in his first season at the club.
What better place to end that drought than at English soccer's national stadium?
FALLEN CHAMPION
Manchester City's hopes of starting a new period of European dominance were
ended by the all-time king of Europe, Madrid.
Despite dominating the semifinals second leg, Pep Guardiola's team could not
take advantage, drawing 1-1 through extra time and 4-4 on aggregate before
losing in a penalty shootout 4-3.
A lack of cutting edge at Etihad Stadium proved City's undoing and continued a
theme against elite teams this season. City has not won in seven games against
Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool this term. Having lost key players such as Ilkay
Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez after last season's treble of trophies, it was
revealing the lack of game-changing players Guardiola could summon from the
bench against Madrid.
With Erling Haaland failing to score in four games against Madrid, perhaps
Guardiola will look for more firepower in the offseason.
BARCELONA UNCERTAINTY
Missing out on the semifinals denied Barcelona some 12.5 million euros ($13.4
million) in prize money that would have helped its poor finances. While Madrid
is waiting to welcome Mbapp, Barcelona is expected to have to sell players
after having already sold off club assets, including part of its future
television revenues, in recent years.
The loss to PSG this week ended an unbeaten run of 13 games since coach Xavi
Hernndez said in January he will step down after the season.
Barcelona's only hope to send Xavi away with a title depends on winning at
Madrid on Sunday and hoping its rival goes into a tailspin in what remains of
the Spanish league. Madrid leads Barcelona by eight points.
SEMIFINALS SCHEDULE
Bayern will host Madrid and Dortmund is home against PSG in the first legs of
the semifinals.
Bayern-Madrid is on April 30, and Madrid will stage the return leg on May 8.
Dortmund-PSG is on May 1, and PSG has the second leg on May 7.
The final is at Wembley in London on June 1.
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AP Sports Writer Joseph Wilson in Barcelona contributed.
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
