Edin Terzic, Borussia Dortmund’s coach, feels “anything is possible” as his team prepares to pull off one of the biggest shocks in a Champions League final against Real Madrid at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
The star-studded Spanish powers are heavy favourites to win the European Championship for the 15th time and sixth in the last 11 seasons, against a Dortmund side that has defied the odds simply to reach the English city.
Madrid has lost only twice in 54 games across all competitions this season, winning La Liga by ten points and defeating Barcelona 4-1 to win the Spanish Super Cup.
However, they had to dig deep once more to advance to what coach Carlo Ancelotti termed the “biggest game of any season” in the Champions League.
“We have to enjoy being here,” said the Italian at his pre-match press conference. “But knowing it can go wrong because we are close to the most important thing in football—winning a Champions League—bbut having the fear this can escape us.”
Ancelotti’s men withstood a barrage from defending champions Manchester City to win their quarter-final encounter on penalties, followed by another legendary late comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu to defeat Bayern Munich in the final four.
“We never stop believing, no matter how the circumstances are,” said Luka Modric, who, along with Nacho, Dani Carvajal, and Toni Kroos, in the final match of his club career, can win the European Cup for a record-equalling sixth time as a player.
“We always believe, keep believing, keep pushing, and keep fighting until the end. In the end, we managed to find a way to beat our opponents.
“Many people say there is luck, but when it happens so many times, I think it’s not just luck.”
Dortmund must bridge the financial gap between the teams to win the Champions League for the second time in their history.
According to financial specialists at Deloitte, Madrid had a record revenue of 831 million euros ($901 million) last season, while Dortmund had 420 million euros.
Jude Bellingham’s career path demonstrates the enormity of the challenge before the Germans.
Dortmund led the group of death, which included Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Newcastle.
PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid were then eliminated before PSG was defeated in the semi-finals after a valiant defensive effort over two legs.
“They are the favourites, but we don’t care; we haven’t been the favourites against Atletico or against PSG,” said Terzic.
“But if we are brave and not here to watch Real Madrid lift the trophy, if we are here to give them a game, then we have a chance.”
Over 100,000 German giants fans are expected to go to London, despite the team being allocated only 30,000 tickets for the 90,000-capacity stadium.
UEFA will be hoping that the focus is on the players on the pitch returning full-time to ensure that their decision to return to Wembley Stadium for a major final is not challenged.
