Real Madrid concluded their successful 2023/24 La Liga campaign with a 0-0 draw against Real Betis, as they bid farewell to their legendary midfielder Toni Kroos. The match at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was highlighted by tributes to Kroos and the impressive achievement of an unbeaten home record throughout the season.

Despite the club's initial plans for a grand farewell tribute to Kroos, the German insisted on focusing solely on the game. However, a tifo with the message "thank you, legend" and a guard of honor were organized to honor the midfielder's contributions to the team. The Bernabéu crowd showered Kroos with applause and provided him with an emotional send-off, acknowledging his immense impact on the club.

Real Madrid had a last opportunity, ahead of the upcoming Champions League final, to impress coach Carlo Ancelotti and potentially alter his plans. Ancelotti hinted at his selection choices by omitting Aurélien Tchouameni, while Nacho started over Éder Militão, suggesting a preference for experience. The coach remained tight-lipped about his final decisions but indicated that his choices might already be made.

With only a week until the crucial clash with Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium, Ancelotti's priority was to protect his players from any unwanted injuries. Luckily, the starting XI emerged unscathed from the game, as Betis showed no aggressive intent until Sokratis Papastathopolous received a late yellow card for a shove on Vinícius Júnior. Ancelotti can now focus on preparing his team for the final with a fit and well-conditioned squad.

Real Madrid achieved a remarkable feat by remaining unbeaten at home throughout the season. They secured 16 wins in La Liga on their home turf, with two stalemates against Rayo Vallecano and Betis, and a last-minute equalizer by Atlético Madrid in a 1-1 draw. This marks the first time since the 1996/97 season that Real Madrid have completed a full campaign without a home defeat. In the Champions League, they registered four wins and two draws at the Bernabéu.

The departure of Toni Kroos creates a significant void in Real Madrid's midfield. Kroos showcased his brilliance once again against Real Betis, making an astounding 107 successful passes out of 110 attempts, far surpassing any other player on the field. Ancelotti now faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for the German maestro, with questions arising about who will step up to fill Kroos' shoes and maintain the team's efficiency in distributing play.

There were speculations surrounding Kepa Arrizabalaga's potential inclusion in the final game as a symbolic farewell to his forgettable loan at Real Madrid. Although Kepa managed nine clean sheets in 19 appearances, his stint was overshadowed by Andriy Lunin's emergence as the first-choice goalkeeper since January 21st. Kepa is expected to join the Spanish national team for Euro 2024, albeit not as the primary goalkeeper, and then return to his parent club, Chelsea.

As Real Madrid bid farewell to Toni Kroos and celebrate an unbeaten home record, they now turn their focus to the upcoming Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. Ancelotti faces the challenge of preparing his team without Kroos while aiming to secure another prestigious title for the club.