How can Real Madrid reach the Champions League final? Route to Wembley examined
- Real Madrid are record European champions with 14 titles to their name
- The Spanish side won the competition in 2022
- Carlo Ancelotti's squad are among the favourites to win the trophy this season
Record European champions Real Madrid are aiming to clinch title number 15 in this season's UEFA Champions League.
However, with current holders Manchester City in dazzling form and the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich sniffing around, reclaiming their crown will be far from straightforward.
Real Madrid have often done it the hard way in the Champions League - most notably beating Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool en route to the trophy in 2021/22 - and they'll have to run another gauntlet this season.
Here's how Real Madrid can book their ticket at Wembley come the end of the campaign.
Real Madrid's 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage performance
Only two teams won all six of their group stage matches: Man City and Real Madrid.
Ancelotti's side eased into the knockout phase of the competition, breezing through a group that contained Serie A champions Napoli, Portuguese outfit Braga and Champions League debutants Union Berlin.
It wasn't always as simple as it seemed - Jude Bellingham's 94th-minute winner gifted Real three points in their opener with Union Berlin and the Englishman shone again in a 3-2 thriller with Napoli on matchday two. But the European giants quickly found their feet, completing a routine double over Braga to secure qualification.
Real finished the group stage off with late victories over Napoli and Union Berlin to claim maximum points.
Real Madrid's group stage results
Date & kick-off time (GMT) | Fixture |
|---|---|
20/09/2023 - 17:45 | Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin |
03/10/2023 - 20:00 | Napoli 2-3 Real Madrid |
24/10/2023 - 20:00 | Braga 1-2 Real Madrid |
08/11/2023 - 20:00 | Real Madrid 3-0 Braga |
29/11/2023 - 20:00 | Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli |
12/12/2023 - 20:00 | Union Berlin 2-3 Real Madrid |
Real Madrid's group stage standings
Pos. | Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Real Madrid | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | +9 | 18 |
2. | Napoli | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +1 | 10 |
3. | Braga | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -6 | 4 |
4. | Union Berlin | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -4 | 2 |
2023/24 UEFA Champions League last 16
There was nothing convincing about Real Madrid's round of 16 triumph over RB Leipzig.
The seasoned competitors were expected to coast against the inconsistent Saxons, especially after Brahim Diaz handed the Spaniards a 1-0 away win in the first leg. Madrid rode their luck in Leipzig and were forced to cling on at the Bernabeu.
Vinicius eased the tension by scoring the game's opener midway through the second half, but Willi Orban responded rapidly and the hosts were forced to see out a tremendously nervy finish to proceedings. "We must improve," Ancelotti candidly said post-match.
Last 16
Date / kick-off time (GMT) | Fixture |
|---|---|
13/02/2024 - 20:00 | RB Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid |
06/03/2024 - 20:00 | Real Madrid 1-1 RB Leipzig |
2023/24 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
Real Madrid have only failed to reach the last eight on two occasions in the past decade, beaten by Ajax and Man City in the last 16 in 2018/19 and 2019/20 respectively. Madrid and City have got used to each other over the years, with the two sides playing out some enthralling two-legged affairs.
It was another classic in the first leg of their 2023/24 quarter-final tie as their clash at the Bernabeu ended 3-3.
Bernardo Silva's smart second-minute free-kick gave Guardiola the best possible start at the home of his old rivals, but Ruben Dias' own goal and Rodrygo's tidy finish meant Los Blancos were ahead with quarter of an hour played.
The pendulum swung again as Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol both struck stunners, but another blockbuster effort from Federico Valverde set up an enticing return leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Quarter-finals
Date / kick-off time (GMT) | Fixture |
|---|---|
09/04/2024 - 20:00 | Real Madrid 3-3 Man City |
17/04/2024 - 20:00 | Man City vs Real Madrid |
2023/24 UEFA Champions League semi-finals
When Madrid make it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, they usually progress to the semis. In fact, not since the 2003/04 season have they been knocked out in the last eight.
However, Los Blancos have lost two of their last three semi-finals, including against eventual champions Man City last term.
Should they bypass the holders and tournament favourites in the quarters, the La Liga behemoths will face either Bayern Munich or Arsenal in the semis.
Semi-finals
Date / kick-off time (BST) | Fixture |
|---|---|
30/04/24 or 01/05/24 - 20:00 | Arsenal/Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid vs Man City |
07/04/24 or 08/04/24 - 20:00 | Real Madrid/Man City vs Arsenal/Bayern Munich |
2023/24 UEFA Champions League final
This season's Champions League final will be hosted by Wembley on 1 June, with the venue last staging the showpiece event during the 2012/13 campaign.
Wembley has been the setting for seven previous continental showpieces but Real Madrid have never played a Champions League or European Cup final at the London arena before.
The La Liga side have plenty of history in Champions League finals, most recently winning the competition against Liverpool during the 2021/22 season.
2023/24 UEFA Champions League round dates
Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
Group stage | 19 September - 13 December 2023 |
Last 16 | 13 February - 13 March 2024 |
Quarter-finals | 9-17 April 2024 |
Semi-finals | 30 April - 8 May 2024 |
Final | 1 June 2024 |
Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League scorers
Player | Goals |
|---|---|
Jude Bellingham | 4 |
Rodrygo | 4 |
Joselu | 3 |
Vinicius Junior | 3 |
Brahim Diaz | 2 |
Dani Ceballos | 1 |
Nico Paz | 1 |
Federico Valverde | 1 |
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