Plenty at stake for clubs in all-German CL final
Published: 23 May. 2013, 20:45
Bayern, the four-time European champions, is Germany’s richest and most successful club, while rejuvenated Borussia Dortmund won the trophy in 1997 but came to the brink of financial ruin in 2005.
The Ruhr valley club has recovered on a sporting level under coach Juergen Klopp, challenging Bayern’s dominance in the past two seasons before the Munich club reclaimed the league title last month in record-breaking fashion.
The Bavarians, in the first all-German Champions League final, are desperate to erase memories of two lost finals in 2010 and 2012 and reclaim their top spot by beating the team that forced them to go two seasons without any domestic silverware.
Last season’s Champions League final defeat in Munich to Chelsea on penalties has been especially bitter to swallow for Bayern, but now Jupp Heynckes’ team stands before an unprecedented treble for a German club.
“To be able to rise again after such a final defeat last year shows that my players are carved out of special wood,” said Heynckes, who looks set to retire from football.
“That is why I am convinced that we will lift the trophy. We have incredible mental strength, we cannot be pushed over.”
For several Bayern players, the final could be the last chance for a major international trophy that has been eluding them with both club and country. Bayern playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger and captain Philipp Lahm have enjoyed hugely successful footballing careers but, both in their late 20s, they are running out of chances for a big trophy.
For Dortmund, who lost only one game in the entire competition - 2-0 at Real Madrid in the semifinal second leg - it is the culmination of a sensational three-year spell. They won the German league in 2011, the league and Cup double last year and now get a shot at the Champions League title.
Dortmund central defender Mats Hummels is nursing an ankle injury but should be fit on Saturday.
Reuters
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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