Borussia Dortmund’s story this season largely looked like one which would end in disappointment.
In the DFB Pokal, they were knocked out in the last 16 after two legs by Stuttgart (the surprise packages of the Bundesliga this season who are currently ahead of Bayern Munich).
The BVB were second place in the Bundesliga for seven of the last 11 seasons behind Bayern Munich. Most had thought that if Bayern were to eventually slip up during this relentless reign at the top. Dortmund would be the ones to knock them off their perch but that wasn’t the case.
Instead, they are fifth on the table while Bayer Leverkusen has displaced Bayern from the top of the standings while having one of the most remarkable seasons in the sport. That must leave a bitter taste in Dortmund’s mouth. Especially when you consider how last season ended but the German side has not lost hope for silverware this campaign.
Can Dortmund Upset Real Madrid in the Champions Final?
Domestically, Dortmund have been decent at best but in the Champions League, they have been anything if not impressive this campaign. They were drawn into a tough group with Paris Saint Germain, Newcastle United, and AC Milan. Dortmund were the odds on to finish last in the standings by bookmakers before the tournament began but they finished top of a tough group. They were two points clear of PSG in second. It wasn’t an easy ride for them as they had only one point from the first two group games but they managed to dust themselves off the ground and win the group.
They were able to see out Dutch giants PSV in the last 16 after closing the tie out at home with a 2-0 second-leg win but many thought their campaign would end in the Quarterfinals. A first-leg loss to Atletico Madrid was followed up by a remarkable 4-2 second-leg win over the Spanish Giants at the Signal Iduna Park.
Although they finished ahead of PSG in the group stages, Dortmund were still underdogs in the semifinal tie against the same team but the Germans handled business over both legs by winning 1-0 home and away. They will count themselves fortunate to have qualified in this tie, as they were saved on numerous occasions by poor finishing from the Parisians.
Their fairytale run has now brought them to their first UEFA Champions League final in 11 years and there is high demand for Dortmund tickets ahead of that final. Having only won one Champions League title in 1997, the BVB have the opportunity to win the second Champions League trophy in their history. The task will be far from easy though as Real Madrid will be waiting for them on June the 1st at Wembley stadium.
As has been their story throughout this campaign, they will come into this match as underdogs against the 15-time Champions but they will be confident in their abilities despite the odds being stacked against them once again.
The position they find themselves in to end this season is brilliant considering just a few short months ago, Edin Terzic’s job was in danger. The Dortmund coach was under a lot of scrutiny because of his team’s performances in the League and there were suggestions that he may be replaced before the season ended. Throughout all of the speculation about his future, Terzic remained calm and continued to steer the ship.
“I’m not surprised to hear that my job is in danger, it’s normal when you’re at a top club”. His response to those rumours as well as his team’s Champions League final berth looks like the sign of a manager who had confidence in his side’s ability to compete with and beat the best.
“There is always a team that no one has on their radar that reaches the quarter-finals or the semi-finals. We wanted to be that team that defied expectations. The road we have traveled has been extraordinary.”
“If I had to search and choose one word, it would be pride. This is a very proud moment for us,” said Edin Terzic after the match with TNT Sport.
“We beat PSG and we kept a clean sheet. We had a bit of luck, but we deserved to go to the final. I’m very proud of my staff, my team, for the club. The dream is not over,” he continued.
That confidence and belief is about to face its biggest test as the best of the best awaits them at Wembley. They may have been seen as underdogs before, but in the Champions League final. Madrid will treat them like equals and a threat to their 16th European title. This task will be far from simple for Dortmund but their teamwork, resilience, and tactical know-how will be key to helping them weather the massive storm that is Real Madrid.
One other component in the Dortmund storyline is Marco Reus. After 12 years with his beloved club, the Dortmund captain will be leaving at the end of the season.
“I’m incredibly grateful for and proud of this special time at my club Borussia Dortmund,” Reus said in a statement.
“I have spent more than half of my life at this club and enjoyed every day, even though there have of course been difficult moments too.”
“I already know now that I will find it difficult to say goodbye at the end of the season,”. Reus said. “And yet I’m happy that there is now clarity and that we can focus fully on the very important final games that we still have to play. We have a big objective in our sights that we all want to achieve together.”
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Last Word
There will be no better way to end an eventful Dortmund career than with the UEFA Champions Trophy held high above his head after his final match for the club.
It remains to be seen whether Reus and Dortmund will be able to do what only two teams in history have, which is to beat Real Madrid in a Champions League final. It sounds like an unattainable goal to strive for, but they will try.
