2024-04-18 15:24:14
So far this season, both FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund have presented themselves like Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Now a spectacular reunion is imminent.
Now a German final is even possible. In London, at the legendary Wembley Stadium, on the first of June. Eleven years after the two clubs’ last final in the Champions League. Where did that take place? Exactly, in London, at Wembley. It would be an incredible déjà vu experience for German football.
It would also be the end of a turbulent season for both teams. Bayern are parting ways with their coach Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season, and Edin Terzić was on the brink at BVB for a long time. There were also ongoing discussions about the quality of the squad – and of course the inconsistent performances on the pitch.
However, the ideas in the premier European football league are against this. Constant, combative, crisis-proof. In the Champions League, the top German teams showed their second face – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde par excellence.
But this turnaround goes beyond the two clubs. The national team, which was despised by many in the autumn under Hansi Flick and later under Julian Nagelsmann, also managed to arouse euphoria before the home European Championships in March. And the women who were quietly eliminated in the group phase of the World Cup are taking part in the Olympics in Paris.
While German football was still in a difficult phase at the end of 2023, with the exception of the U17 world champions, a few months later it is back with a different face.
Bayern against Real, BVB against Paris
FC Bayern is a symbol of this: coach Tuchel has a great chance to say goodbye with the Champions League title, Bayern’s first since 2020. The much-maligned coach is also giving the club a bit of a thumbs-up: would have Maybe you had a little more patience with me.
Who else is standing in his way now? Real Madrid. Probably the most difficult opponent when it comes to fulfilling the dream of the final. Curiously, Tuchel’s record against Real (1.63 points on average) is much better than his team’s score against BVB (0.93). If Bayern had a great day against Madrid in the first and second leg, that would probably be a satisfaction for Tuchel.
BVB faces Paris St. Germain. Both played against each other in the group stage, Dortmund lost 2-0 in Paris with their worst performance of this Champions League season, but held on at home and drew 1-1. PSG is not unbeatable.
A German final? Actually an absurd scenario after a strange season for both teams. And yet a fantastic idea for German football.