PARIS – Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 aggregate win over Paris Saint-Germain on May 7 that sent them to the Champions League final has made amends for last season’s disappointing Bundesliga finale, coach Edin Terzic said.
The German side showed great composure at the Parc des Princes to reach their third Champions League final and first since 2013 after Mats Hummels’ second-half goal earned a 1-0 victory on the night.
Terzic went to the Dortmund fans after the game and said he felt he had to make up for last season’s failure to win the Bundesliga title after slipping up on the very last day.
“Last season, we lost the championship at home on the last match day. I’m happy that we can now give something back to the fans,” he said, remembering how Bayern Munich beat his side merely on goal difference.
“(Going to the fans) was a very emotional moment, a beautiful moment. Today we could pay something back, keep them dreaming and now we’ll do everything to bring the trophy back home.”
Luis Enrique’s PSG hit the woodwork four times but failed to find the net as Kylian Mbappe, widely expected to leave at the end of the season, was a shadow of his usual brilliant self.
Dortmund will now meet either 14-time champions Real Madrid or Bayern Munich – who clashed at the Bernabeu on May 8 after a 2-2 draw in the first leg – in the showdown at Wembley on June 1.
“Before the first (round-of-16) game against (PSV) Eindhoven, we talked for the first time about how short the journey to London could be,” Terzic added.
“Back then, many were still puzzled. But we’ve grown with every game and eventually realised that we could be the team that surprise everyone in the end. Now I’m very happy to be in the final with my team.”
Despite doing well in Europe, Dortmund have played a roller-coaster Bundesliga campaign and are currently in fifth place with two games left.
“That plays no role,” Terzic insisted. “In 2013 when Dortmund were in the Champions League final, they were behind in the league. And in 1997 when they won it, they were also not doing well.
“The season had highs and lows, but our season is still not finished.”
Enrique, meanwhile, was “proud” of his side despite what he called an “unfair” defeat.
“My feeling is of sadness. It can’t be anything else. We didn’t manage to fulfil our objective,” he said.
The Spaniard pointed out that not only did PSG hit the frame of the goal four times, they also struck the post in last week’s 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Germany.
“I don’t think we were inferior. The interesting thing about football is that sometimes it’s not fair – we had 31 shots and did not score a single goal,” he added.
“But we have to accept it, congratulate the team that reached the final, and get over the disappointment. I am very proud of my team, without any doubt.”
REUTERS, AFP
