**Slow Newsletter: Real’s Victory, Wembley Chaos, Mourinho’s New Job, Everton Deal Collapse, Mbappé to Madrid**
Real Madrid have secured their 15th Champions League title by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley Stadium in front of 86,000 spectators. As with many Real Madrid finals, the storyline revolved around the Spanish giants adding another accolade to their impressive collection. However, Dortmund presented a formidable challenge throughout the match. The German team had the best chances in the first half, with Adeyemi and Füllkrug both coming close to scoring. Even after halftime, when pundits expected Real Madrid to dominate, Dortmund held their ground effectively.
Despite Dortmund’s strong performance under Edin Terzic, there was an air of inevitability about the result. Real Madrid took the lead in the 74th minute when Carvajal headed in from a corner. This goal seemed to mark a turning point, highlighting Dortmund’s missed opportunities earlier in the match. Goalkeeper Kobel made several outstanding saves to keep Dortmund in the game, notably denying efforts from Kroos, Camavinga, and Nacho. Real Madrid sealed their victory in the 83rd minute when a costly error by Maatsen allowed Bellingham to assist Vinícius, who managed to scuff his shot past Kobel. While Real Madrid once again demonstrated their prowess on the big stage, Dortmund can take pride in their valiant effort in what was an enthralling final.
Wembley Stadium faced embarrassment during the Champions League final due to security lapses. Despite considerable discussion about enhanced security measures to avoid a repeat of the chaos seen at the EURO 2020 final in 2021, five pitch invaders managed to disrupt the match at kickoff. This incident was part of a dare promoted by Belarusian blogger Mellstroy. Additionally, the Metropolitan Police reported 53 arrests during the final, most of which were related to attempted security breaches.
José Mourinho is set to return to football management with Turkish club Fenerbahçe, just five months after departing Roma. Although the 61-year-old has managed bigger clubs, Fenerbahçe is a major team in Turkey with a history of winning trophies and a strong fan base, averaging 38,000 attendees at home games during the 2023-24 season. Fenerbahçe finished as runners-up in the Turkish Super Lig, three points behind rivals Galatasaray, and reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League, losing to eventual winners Olympiacos. Notable players for Fenerbahçe last season included Edin Džeko, Fred, Michy Batshuayi, and Leonardo Bonucci.
The takeover of Everton by US investment firm 777 Partners appears to have fallen through after the deadline for the sale expired. Recently, negative publicity has surrounded 777 Partners, raising doubts about the company’s financial stability. The Premier League required proof that 777 could repay a £158 million loan owed to MSP Sports Capital and convert a US$200 million loan to Everton into equity. The Everton Advisory Board has deemed 777 unsuitable as owners. Despite this, the club insists it remains financially stable and denies any plans for a fire sale of players this summer. Everton’s new stadium is scheduled to open at the start of the 2025-26 season, but the project’s cost has surged from £500 million to £756 million.
Kylian Mbappé has finalized his long-anticipated move to Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappé leaves PSG on a free transfer as his contract expires at the end of June. His deal with Real Madrid includes a five-year contract worth €15 million per season and a €150 million signing-on fee distributed over the five years. During his time at PSG, the 25-year-old played 308 games and scored 256 goals.
