Eleven years ago, the loss against German rival Bayern Munich stung.
Now Dortmund gets another chance in the Champions League final.
The club is ready to play at Wembley in June – after 1-0, 2-0 on aggregate, in the semi-final against Paris SG.
Manager Edin Terzic was asked what three things his side needed to reach Wembley and the Champions League final on June 1.
The answer?
Believe.
Resilience.
Together.
The 41-year-old German saw everything from his players during the second leg with Paris SG in France, as Dortmund once again ensured that star Kylian Mbappé & Co left the football field without a goal.
Hummel’s header decided
Terzic also got to see great actions and cooperation between Julian Brandt and Mats Hummels.
Five minutes into the second half, Brandt hit the corner against the far post. There, center back Hummels got the surface and when he met the ball with his forehead without any disturbance – then it sat unremovably behind PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The goal gave Dortmund 1–0, a total of 2–0.
Which in the end was enough to secure the final game at Wembley in June.
This is hard to describe, I’m proud of the team, it’s unbelievable that we didn’t concede a goal against Paris in two games, says Dortmund’s Emre Can to TV4 Play.
We are an incredible team. It’s quality in the back, it’s quality in the front. Everyone is fighting for each other and that is why we are in the final.
Now it remains to be seen whether the club will have the opportunity to take revenge on league rivals Bayern Munich, who won the final in 2013 at Wembley with 2-1 after Arjen Robben’s decision in the 89th minute.
“We gave it our all”
Whether or not the German big club will be in the final will be decided on Wednesday, when the return meeting with Real Madrid, 2-2 after the first leg, awaits.
For Kylian Mbappé, however, the end at PSG was not what he wanted.
The 25-year-old, who informed the club management that he is leaving after the season, wanted to end in the best way – with the Champions League final and the club’s first CL title.
Instead, it was a draw in the semi-finals.
We gave it our all, we left it all out there and it’s a shame it wasn’t enough to go to the final. This is a hard blow and we are disappointed, says PSG’s Vitinha to TV4 Play.
Facts: Champions League
Ready for the final: Dortmund after a total of 2-0 against Paris SG.
Wednesday: Semi-final Real Madrid-Bayern Munich is decided, 2-2 after the first meeting.
June 1: Final at Wembley, London.
Facts: Five last champion teams
2023: Manchester City after 1-0 against Inter.
2022: Real Madrid, 1–0 against Liverpool.
2021: Chelsea, 1–0 against Manchester City.
2020: Bayern Munich, 1–0 against Paris SG.
2019: Liverpool, 2–0 against Tottenham.