Borussia Dortmund: Why Ottmar Hitzfeld isn’t travelling to the Champions League ultimate | EUROtoday

Status: 20:48 | Reading time: 3 minutes

Ottmar Hitzfeld was the final and to date solely coach to steer Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League title. In 1997, beneath his management, BVB gained the ultimate in Munich 3:1 towards Juventus Turin. Now the Westphalians are within the ultimate once more, going through Real Madrid on Saturday at London's Wembley Stadium. Hitzfeld won’t be there, nonetheless; the 75-year-old will watch the match on tv in his hometown of Lörrach along with his spouse Beatrix.

Ask: Mr. Hitzfeld, why don’t you journey to London?

Hitzfeld: I now keep away from such big gatherings of individuals. I really feel uncomfortable there. Of course, when you're sitting within the stands, it's nice. But the journey and the whole lot that goes with it might be too hectic for me. It's way more snug and relaxed in my very own front room.

Ask: Do you belief Borussia to lastly repeat its success after 27 years?

Hitzfeld: I might actually want it from the underside of my coronary heart for the membership and all Dortmund followers. The mentality and the folks within the Ruhr space, who love and dwell soccer a lot, completely deserve this triumph.

Ask: How do you see the probabilities?

Hitzfeld: Real Madrid is actually the clear favourite, however so was Paris within the semi-finals. Borussia has impressively demonstrated within the Champions League how a lot high quality this workforce has, even when their efficiency within the Bundesliga final season was fairly disappointing.

Ask: How are these two faces attainable?

Hitzfeld: It seems as if BVB gave up the championship comparatively early on so as to focus totally on the Champions League. Perhaps it was a intelligent transfer. But significantly – as soon as qualification for worldwide competitors was confirmed, it was now not essential whether or not they completed fourth or fifth within the Bundesliga. The solely factor that mattered to everybody was the premier league.

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Ask: Would you could have thought Borussia would make it to the ultimate?

Hitzfeld: No, extra seemingly Bayern – I'll be sincere. But now Dortmund has nothing left to lose, to allow them to solely win. This is an actual alternative. The strain on Real Madrid is far larger. An thrilling constellation.

Ask: Have you already wished coach Edin Terzic all the very best?

Hitzfeld: I maintain again on such issues. He will certainly get loads of well-meaning recommendation and messages. He doesn't want any additional encouragement from me. He is aware of what he has to do anyway.

Ask: Terzic can write a brand new chapter in soccer historical past with a ultimate win towards Real. What is your impression of him?

Hitzfeld: I solely know Edin Terzic superficially. But I like his demeanor on the sidelines. He appears sincere and genuine. He appears to slot in nicely with BVB. With a win over Madrid, he may make himself immortal in Dortmund.

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Ask: Just like Marco Reus, if he and Borussia gained the large trophy after his final recreation.

Hitzfeld: No query, that might be an excellent story, the sort that solely soccer can write.

Ask: Hand on coronary heart – wouldn’t or not it’s a little bit stinging if Terzic may copy her distinctive success on Saturday night?

Hitzfeld: Absolutely not! I might be extremely comfortable about it. My years in Dortmund have been among the greatest in my life. Of course, my time at Bayern Munich was additionally formative and spectacular. But soccer within the Ruhr area is in some way much more intense in its personal approach. Because the followers there give their final shirt and much more for his or her membership. They would burst with delight in the event that they managed to win the ultimate once more.

The interview was performed for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and first printed in BILD.