Borussia Dortmund's exhilarating journey to the 2024 UEFA Champions League final has significantly uplifted the team, according to their star striker, Marco Reus.
Despite facing the formidable Real Madrid, who are the record holders for Champions League titles, Reus expressed confidence, saying, “We’ve gathered so much energy and positive experiences that we believe we can conquer any obstacle,” in an interview with Xinhua.
For Real Madrid, reaching a Champions League final might seem routine, and Reus acknowledged, “They might be less anxious since they are accustomed to competing at this elite level. But that’s not what secures a final victory. It’s the performance on the day that counts. I am incredibly driven to conclude my time at Dortmund with a win at Wembley,” added the former German international.
Reus, 34, reminisced about his first Champions League final in 2013 during his debut season with Dortmund. Now, he eagerly anticipates the chance to conclude this chapter of his career with another final appearance.
“It feels like completing a full circle, starting in 2013 and culminating in the 2024 final before my farewell,” he reflected.
After twelve years donning the Black and Yellow jersey, Reus is set to leave Dortmund but plans to continue his career in a neighboring country due to family considerations. “I want to stay close to home for family reasons,” he explained.
Dortmund recognizes the extraordinary caliber of their opponent. “Real Madrid has immense quality both as a team and individually,” Reus admitted.
Nonetheless, Reus believes that Dortmund has demonstrated resilience throughout the past months in both the group stage and knockout rounds. “After we defeated Eindhoven, we realized anything was possible. Then came the match against Atletico, and it felt like we were in a trance,” Reus recounted. He added that the victory against Paris felt like breaking barriers and opening doors to a very special season finale.
Looking back on the Champions League season, Reus described it as “a journey through all the highs and lows, but we always remained hopeful.”
Reflecting on over a decade since his first final, Reus shared, “I feel fortunate to be part of another final. We are determined to succeed this time. It still feels like a fairytale.”
Reus mentioned conversations with veteran defender Mats Hummels about the Champions League final being “unfinished business.”
Facing Real Madrid at Wembley presents an opportunity to complete what the team missed in 2013 when they narrowly lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the so-called German final.
In the weeks leading up to the final, the entire team, under the guidance of coach Edin Terzic, has been focused exclusively on the showdown with Real Madrid. “It feels like we’re in a tunnel heading for a significant goal,” Reus said.
Despite Dortmund being viewed as the underdogs, Reus emphasized, “We all know that in a single game, anything can happen. It’s embedded in our minds to reach the summit this Saturday,” he concluded.
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