What to watch in Real Madrid-Borussia Dortmund Champions League final

Sancho's path to the final began similarly to Bellingham's: He left England at a young age, trained in Dortmund and then earned a big-money move to a major club. But while Bellingham went to Real Madrid and excelled, Sancho went to Manchester United and fell apart.

For Man U, he struggled to make an impact and had a public falling-out with coach Erik Ten Hag. In January, United shipped Sancho back to Dortmund on loan when it became clear he and Ten Hag would never be able to get along.

Though he was expected to struggle at Dortmund, Sancho came back to life in Germany and has been one of the team's key players this season. 

He'll see this final as a chance to show the world Manchester United is the problematic one, not him, and that his future is as bright as ever.

Ian Maatsen's rangy left wing runs

"Dortmund is a very fast team in transition," Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said in advance of the final. 

He's right. 

Dortmund is excellent at holding a defensive shape and soaking up pressure, then sprinting toward the opposition goal the second it gains possession.

The key to this transition play is left fullback Ian Maatsen. His pace and vision created chance after chance for Dortmund this season and he'll be going up against either defender Dani Carvajal or Lucas Vazquez, who will struggle to keep up with his speed.

Ancelotti is right to be nervous about him.

Toni Kroos's last dance

34-year-old German midfielder Kroos of Real Madrid has won a World Cup, five Champions Leagues and seven domestic league trophies during his charmed career. He's one of the winning-est players in the sport and a key part of every one of the aforementioned victories. 

Determined to end his career on a high, Kroos will retire at the end of the summer, making this game at Wembley his final appearance in club soccer. 

"His decision to go is the decision of a great, a decision of character," Ancelotti said, per The Guardian. "Toni could close out his career with a Champions League and at an individual level he deserves it. But his career doesn't need another Champions League. He has been a fantastic player for 10 years, he has made history with Real Madrid and in world football."

The Champions League Final will begin at 3 p.m. ET Saturday.