May 8th 2024.
Mats Hummels couldn't help but smile as he reflected on Borussia Dortmund's journey to the Champions League final. Despite their struggles in the Bundesliga, the centre-back was proud of their achievements on the European stage.
He had a message for all those who had doubted his team along the way. With a touch of cheekiness, he tweeted, "So many teams wanted to play against us. Luckily we are really nice guys and made it to the final so that as many as possible of them get the chance." It was a subtle reminder that Dortmund had proven their doubters wrong and were now just one step away from lifting the trophy.
Their path to the final had been anything but easy. They had faced tough opponents, like Atletico Madrid, and had to bounce back from a poor start in the group stage. But with determination and belief, they had managed to make it to the knockout stages and beyond.
Manager Edin Terzic admitted that not many had expected Dortmund to make it this far, but there is always one team that surprises everyone in the Champions League. And this season, it was Dortmund's turn to be that team.
Their unlikely hero in the semi-finals was Hummels himself, who scored the only goal in their away game against PSG. It was a moment of pure joy for the defender, who had not been a regular goal-scorer throughout the season. But on that night, he stepped up and delivered when his team needed him the most.
It was understandable that Dortmund were not favored by many, especially after their slow start in the group stage. But they never lost faith in themselves and their abilities. As Emre Can pointed out, "After the second matchday, almost no one believed in us any more. We only had one point after two matches, but we kept believing and that was the most important thing."
Now, they were just one game away from making their dreams come true. And for Hummels, there was no better feeling than proving all their doubters wrong and reaching the final. It was a journey filled with ups and downs, but it had been worth it.
As the world looked ahead to the Champions League final, Dortmund's star player Jadon Sancho expressed his happiness at the club and his desire to stay. And Rio Ferdinand, a former Manchester United player, revealed that he had even told Dortmund's potential future manager Thomas Tuchel to watch out for the German side in the semi-finals.
It was clear that Dortmund had made their mark on the Champions League this season, and their journey was far from over. As they prepared for the final, they knew that they had already achieved something special, regardless of the result. And that, in itself, was a victory.
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