The Borussia Dortmund head coach, Edin Terzic, wants his players to embrace their underdog tag against Real Madrid, and use past disappointments to fuel their desire to win the Champions League. While Carlo Ancelotti’s side are seeking their 15th European Cup at Wembley on Saturday and are La Liga champions, Dortmund have not reached the final since losing to Bayern Munich at the same venue in 2013 and suffered the misery of letting the Bundesliga title slip through their hands on the final day of the season a year ago. Dortmund plot Champions League final shock after adapting to thrive | Jonathan Liew Read more “The last [league] game last season is now part of our life and now part of our path to success,” Terzic said on Friday.
“If I am honest, I don’t think this was the most beautiful chapter in my life but I think it was the most important chapter as it shows you it doesn’t matter how tough it is, stand up and go again.” Dortmund, who finished fifth in the league this season, began their Champions League campaign with a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and draw with Milan – but bounced back with two wins over Newcastle and a 3-1 success at San Siro to top Group F. After overcoming PSV Eindhoven in the last 16, they knocked out Atlético Madrid before gaining revenge on PSG in the semi-finals.
View image in fullscreen Edin Terzic and Mats Hummels after Dortmund failed to beat Mainz, allowing Bayern to grab the title on the final day in 2023. Photograph: Leon.