Sancho's Final Stand

Manchester United's Jadon Sancho couldn't inspire Borussia Dortmund to European glory, as the team fell to Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday night.

Sancho's loan spell at Dortmund, which concludes on June 30, saw him play his final match for the German club. The 24-year-old forward started strong but faded in the second half, leading to his substitution in the 87th minute by manager Edin Terzic, who still commended Sancho's efforts post-match.

Ruhr24 Critique: Defensive Shortcomings

Ruhr24 highlighted Sancho's reluctance in defensive duties, noting key moments where his lapses were costly. "Inconsistent in defensive behavior," they wrote, pointing to his failure to track Vinicius Junior during a counterattack in the 49th minute and an unnecessary loss of possession leading to a decisive Real Madrid corner in the 74th. Despite this, they expressed a desire to see the England international return to Dortmund next season. "Hopefully not his last appearance in black and yellow."

Sky Germany: A Tale of Two Halves

Sky Germany echoed similar sentiments, observing a stark contrast in Sancho's performance between the two halves. "He showed some danger in the first half with his dribbling and passing, but his impact waned in the second half, becoming inconspicuous."

RAN's Verdict: Disappointment in the Decisive Moments

RAN was particularly harsh, awarding Sancho a rating of 5/10. "The Englishman fell short compared to his teammates, with hardly any significant actions forward and a disappointing overall performance despite some defensive efforts."

The Aftermath and Looking Ahead

In summary, despite the pre-match excitement, Sancho did not live up to expectations in the final. Nevertheless, Dortmund's coach Edin Terzic remains optimistic about Sancho's future, predicting he will feature in more Champions League finals.

As the dust settles, one can only hope Dortmund will invest wisely and build a squad capable of conquering Europe in the seasons to come.