Borussia Dortmund’s head coach, Edin Terzic, has expressed a buoyant belief that “anything is possible” as his side prepares to face Real Madrid in the Champions League final at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
The Spanish giants, who are heavy favorites, are eyeing their 15th European title, and a sixth in the last 11 seasons.
Real Madrid has been formidable this season, losing just twice in 54 games across all competitions.
They clinched the La Liga title by a comfortable 10 points and triumphed 4-1 over Barcelona to lift the Spanish Super Cup.
Despite the odds, Terzic is confident in his team’s potential to deliver a surprise.
“They are the favourites but we don’t care.
We haven’t been the favourites against Atletico or against PSG,” he said.
“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.”
Real Madrid’s journey to the final was anything but smooth.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad had to dig deep, withstanding a barrage from defending champions Manchester City to win their quarter-final tie on penalties and staging a legendary comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu to overcome Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
“We never stop believing, no matter how the circumstances are,” said veteran midfielder Luka Modric.
“We always believe, keep believing, keep pushing, fighting until the end.
In the end, we manage to find a way to beat opponents.”
Modric, along with Nacho, Dani Carvajal, and Toni Kroos, aims to secure a record-equalling sixth European Cup win as a player.
“Many people say there is luck, but when it happens so many times, I think it’s not just luck,” Modric added.
The career trajectory of Jude Bellingham underscores the challenge Dortmund faces.
The young star, nurtured by Dortmund after being signed from Birmingham City, was sold to Real Madrid for over €100 million last year.
Without him, Dortmund finished fifth in the Bundesliga, trailing leaders Bayer Leverkusen by 27 points.
Nonetheless, Dortmund has shone in the Champions League, making it to the final for the third time in their history.
They topped a difficult group that included Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Newcastle, before defeating PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid.
A defensive masterclass then saw them past PSG in the semi-finals.
Marco Reus, one of only two Dortmund players who were part of the squad that lost to Bayern at Wembley in 2013, is dreaming of a fairytale ending to his career.
“I would say there is nothing better than playing your last game in a Champions League final and winning it,” said Reus, who turned 35 on Friday.
“Now the objective is to win the trophy because we cannot imagine how things could be the very next day in Dortmund.”
Despite being allocated just 30,000 tickets, over 100,000 Dortmund fans are expected to flood London, showcasing the massive support behind the German club.
UEFA will be keen to ensure a smooth event, following the chaos of ticketless fans storming Wembley during the Euro 2020 final three years ago.
The English Football Association has since invested £5 million in safety and infrastructure improvements at the stadium, which is also slated to host the Euro 2028 final.
