European Football Competition for Top Clubs - BVB and the aftermath of Wembley: anxiety over impending distress.
The weight of losing the Champions League final in Wembley was still heavy on Borussia Dortmund's shoulders. They knew that the defeated score of 0:2 against Real Madrid would have a similar impact to their missed championship in 2023.
"I think last year's league drama at the start of the season had an effect on us a bit," Nico Schlotterbeck reminisced on May 27, 2023, as Dortmund lost the previously-believed title to Mainz 2:2 on the last matchday.
The Dortmund players carried this burden into their new season, burdened by their league performance and ultimately finishing fifth. "I hope we start better in preparation this year and play a better Bundesliga season," Schlotterbeck said, though he didn't seem very confident. He feared "falling into such a small hole."
The Dortmund players expected a similar burden as last year, having dominated Real Madrid for 70 minutes but didn't score any goals. Coach Edin Terzic knew the biggest challenge was to keep their belief high.
There wasn't much of this belief in their after-game party. With drooping shoulders and sad faces, the players, who arrived several hours after the final whistle in a pre-organized gathering in London's city center, struggled to have any fun. Terzic tried to turn the frustration of his players into determination and immediate action.
"Even if there will be setbacks at the beginning of the next season, never let doubt win. If we all keep the faith in ourselves, then we will come back, then we will fight back," said Terzic.
Despite the lack of belief, some players praised the surprising Champions League season, saying it revealed their potential to cause problems for any team in the world. Schlotterbeck confidently added, "What I can say: We will celebrate a title for the fans and then have a big party."
However, changes were needed. Dortmund's season was filled with ups and downs, and their loss to Real Madrid demonstrated lack of world-class quality in their squad.
BVB plans to invest a large part of the more than 100 million euros earned from the Champions League in the team. Hans-Joachim Watzke had already announced that they would spend significantly more on transfers since it's new for Borussia Dortmund.
Marco Reus, the former captain, and Mats Hummels, the defensive leader, will likely be leaving the club. Terzic believes new leadership figures must emerge or develop. Reus, who has had a career marked by serious injuries and missed titles, will likely continue playing internationally.
The only titles Reus won with his hometown club, BVB, were the two DFB-Pokals. "We couldn't have wished for a better player to lift the cup," said Sebastian Kehl, the sport director, after Reus' last game for the BVB.
Hummels' future is still up in the air. His sad gestures towards the South Stand of the Dortmund fans after the last home game against Darmstadt were hard to miss. Furthermore, in a "Sport Bild" interview, he criticized Terzic's tactical approach, particularly in games against Stuttgart and Leverkusen.
"I was shocked because I thought: This is not how Borussia Dortmund should play - against any opponent in the world," said Hummels. If a contract extension in Dortmund is still possible, probably Hummels would have expressed his opinions more diplatically. "We'll discuss it in the next few days and then make a decision," said Kehl. "I really don't know," Hummels himself replied. "It feels strange not to know." His career may even reach an end as the "least likely option."
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The Champions League final against Real Madrid in Wembley served as a sobering reminder of their past failures for Borussia Dortmund, much like their missed title in 2023 against Mainz. Nico Schlotterbeck, reflecting on the 2023 season, acknowledged the impact of the league's early drama on their performance and the looming anxiety of repeating the same fate.
The weight of their league defeat and fifth-place finish haunted the Dortmund players, causing them to fear slipping into mediocrity. Real Madrid, who they had dominated for 70 minutes without scoring, became a potent symbol of their world-class quality deficit.
Coach Edin Terzic remained optimistic, pushing his players to maintain their belief and faith in themselves. Despite their lack of conviction, the players recognized their potential to compete with the world's best teams, and Schlotterbeck was confident they would one day celebrate a title for the fans.
To bridge the talent gap, Borussia Dortmund decided to invest a significant portion of their 100 million euro Champions League earnings in new signings, representing a departure from their traditionally frugal transfer policies. Two of their most prominent figures, Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, appeared likely to leave the club.
Reus, known for his injury-troubled career and missed titles, was expected to continue his international career, leaving an indelible mark on his hometown club, BVB, with his two DFB-Pokal victories. Hummels' future was uncertain, as his post-match gestures and public criticism of Terzic's tactics hinted at an impending departure.
In a Sport Bild interview, Hummels was particularly critical of Bourssia Dortmund's performances against Stuttgart and Leverkusen. "This is not how Borussia Dortmund should play - against any opponent in the world," he declared. Uncertainty surrounded Hummels' future, as he and sport director Sebastian Kehl pondered his contract extension.
The Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid marked a turning point for Borussia Dortmund, as they sought to secure new leadership and world-class talent to contest future finals. Nico Schlotterbeck, Marco Reus, and Mats Hummels played a pivotal role in this transformation, shaping the club's narrative and future fortunes in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, Germany, and beyond.
As the curtain fell on another season, Borussia Dortmund recognized the importance of maximizing their Champions League earnings, revamping their squad, and seeking a new Champions League title that would secure their place in the annals of European soccer history.
'), and even reach an end as the 'least likely option.' As Hummels' future lingered in doubt, the club prepared for a new chapter in the Champions League, aspiring to one day emerge victorious in the Champions League final, a hallmark of soccer excellence and glory. In the bustling city of London, the echoes of Wembley resounded, a stark reminder of the journey ahead for Borussia Dortmund, who embarked on a new mission driven by resilience, determination, and unwavering hope.
