Photo by Jürgen Jung
Borussia Dortmund‘s long-term planning and work is finally set to reach its climax this Saturday in the Champions League Final vs. Bayern Munich.
16 years after the club’s first European triumph in 1997, Jurgen Klopp‘s boys are ready for the biggest challenge in their modern era.
Although it is in the majority a young and energetic squad, there is a also a blend of experienced heads which adds a different type of hunger that can and has boded well in recent years.
The Bundesliga title and German Cup may have been snatched away by Munich this season, but they were checked off Klopp’s list last season as the club really came into their own. Now, with the eyes of the world watching, the ‘Die Borussen’ are ready to fight for glory at Wembley in the all-German final.
Following the success of ’97, Dortmund made the admittedly regrettable mistake of investing in various individuals for high prices, and who simply lacked that ambition and drive that was really required to fit the makeup of the club.
Around a decade on from the point when the club realized that was a mistake, this new collection of Dortmund stars have guided the club into a new period of success. It really is a widely accepted belief that although domestic success is a marker of domination, there is a un-matchable glory and respect that comes with European success.
However, there is a sense that this summer is a new crossroads in Dortmund’s history. It looks like Klopp is set to lose at least one of his talented youngsters, Mario Gotze, as well as possibly having to fend off incoming bids for other notable stars — while Klopp himself may well have his future to consider.
But if they manage to beat their counterparts this Saturday in London, all that may look a bit rosier. They will be the Champions of Europe, reaching the pinnacle of club football. Who then wouldn’t want to play for them? You could argue that Bayern are on course for a real domination of not just German football, but European too.
That said, do not forget about this Dortmund side’s depth. Even with the departures such as Gotze, there is further talent with the likes of Moritz Leitner emerging as a real gem, and there will surely be the possibility of a quality striker to replace the eventual departure of Robert Lewandowski.
Saturday will be interesting. Both these sides are incredibly hungry for success, but as we’ve seen in previous Champions League finals, when things just start to turn against Bayern, it almost always seems to collapse on them.
Dortmund have a huge task ahead of them, but there is no doubting their ability to get a result. They have already lost to Bayern twice in the Bundesliga this season, but last year in the German Cup final, when it really mattered, they managed to turn the result in their favour with an emphatic 5-2 victory.
Dortmund have done a fine job to reach the final itself, but now their recent path to success really does reach its defining point — the point to achieve something truly special. I get the feeling that the majority of Europe are behind them, as their positive values and passionate demeanor could well bring some sanity back football if they win on Saturday.
Stowe Gregory is an English featured Soccer and Sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him or tweet on Twitter @stowegregory. Or add to circles on Google +
