Champions League underdogs Dortmund are in it to win it says Terzic

Borussia Dortmund have not travelled so far in this season’s Champions League to be mere witnesses to Real Madrid lifting the trophy for a record-extending 15th time, coach Edin Terzic vowed on Friday on the eve of the Wembley showdown.

“You don’t play a final, you win a final and that is our clear goal,” Terzic, who will be up against his role model Carlos Ancelotti, told reporters before leading a training session on the pristine turf in north west London.

“We’re happy to be here but we have to win at Wembley Stadium against Real Madrid, to hold that trophy in our hands.”

Dortmund finished a distant fifth in the Bundesliga this season and few would have given them much hope of reaching their first Champions League final since 2013 when Wembley also hosted their defeat against favourites Bayern Munich.

But Terzic’s side stunned Atletico Madrid in a quarter-final thriller and then provided a tactical masterclass as they beat Paris St Germain 1-0 in both legs of the semi-final.

“(Real) have a role as the favourites, but we weren’t favourites against Atletico or Paris either,” Terzic said.

“If we are brave and not here to see Madrid win their next trophy, then we’re going to have a chance.”

Real are another step up in class but for Terzic’s side but he says their defensive solidity gives them the chance of winning the trophy for the second time in their history.

“We are the team with the most clean sheets in the competition (this season),” said Terzic, whose side top the season’s statistics in tackles, clearances and ball recovery.

“You need to keep the opposition as far away from goal as possible. We weren’t at our highest level when we conceded goals in September, but we are a totally different team now and have shown we are ready to compete for the trophy.”