2024 UCL Final: Borussia Dortmund’s coach, Edin Terzic, is optimistic ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London.
Real Madrid, with their star-studded lineup, are the clear favorites, aiming for their 15th European title and sixth in the last 11 seasons. In contrast, Dortmund has defied expectations just to reach this stage.
Madrid’s dominance is evident, having lost only twice in 54 games this season and clinching the La Liga title by a comfortable margin. Their journey includes a convincing win over Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.
Yet, Dortmund remains undeterred. Terzic believes in his team’s ability to pull off a surprise. Despite the odds, they’ve earned their place in the final. Coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledges the significance of this clash, describing it as the pinnacle of any season in the Champions League.
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Ancelotti’s team faced tough challenges in their journey to the Champions League final. They endured a fierce battle against defending champions Manchester City, eventually winning on penalties. Then, they staged a remarkable comeback against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
Luka Modric, one of the team’s key players, emphasized their unwavering belief and determination. Alongside teammates Nacho, Dani Carvajal, and Toni Kroos, who is playing his final club match, Modric aims to secure his sixth European Cup victory.
Their success isn’t just luck, according to Modric. Despite facing difficult situations, they never give up. They keep pushing and fighting until the very end, finding ways to overcome their opponents time and time again.
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Without Bellingham, Dortmund had a tough time in the Bundesliga, ending up fifth, a distant 27 points behind Bayer Leverkusen.
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Yet, Terzic’s team has performed exceptionally well in the Champions League, making it to the final for the third time in the club’s history, the first since their defeat to Bayern Munich 11 years ago.
Dortmund faced tough opponents in the group stage, including Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Newcastle. Despite the challenge, they emerged on top. They continued their impressive run by defeating PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid before showcasing a heroic defensive performance against PSG in the semi-finals.
Coach Terzic acknowledges that Real Madrid is the favorite, but Dortmund isn’t fazed. They’ve embraced their underdog status before and are determined to give their all. They believe that if they play bravely and aim to challenge Madrid rather than just watch them win, they have a chance.
While Madrid has a storied history in the Champions League, Dortmund’s success in the competition has been limited, with their only previous victory in 1997.
Despite being allocated only 30,000 tickets, over 100,000 Dortmund fans are estimated to have traveled to London to support their team. Marco Reus, one of the veterans from the defeat to Bayern 11 years ago, sees this final as a chance for a fairytale ending to his Dortmund career.
For Reus, playing and winning the final would be the perfect way to end his time at the club. With Saturday marking his 429th and final game for Dortmund, he’s determined to lift the trophy.
As the excitement builds for the final, UEFA hopes that the focus remains on the players on the field, ensuring that their choice to host a major final at Wembley isn’t called into question.