Real Madrid is aiming for their 15th European Cup title, while for Dortmund, this will be an opportunity to win their second title in history. The city of Dortmund is currently filled with excitement, with Borussia Dortmund flags adorning traffic lights and street lamps, creating a vibrant display of Black and Yellow throughout the city.
Dortmund’s training session is filled with laughter, but when they start their practice matches, they play as if it’s a real game.
However, on Dortmund’s training ground, the players are preparing extremely seriously. Since this is an open training session, reporters can see everything firsthand, and according to the German publication Kicker, the practice session is as intense as a real match. Every player is giving 100% effort, and tackles are quite fierce, although no one is making malicious fouls, a few players have been tackled hard.
This is what coach Edin Terzic wants. He is constantly shouting instructions on the field instead of passively observing. Kicker reports that Terzic continuously reminds players of two things: 1) If taking more than one touch, absolutely do not pass back; 2) Move the ball upfield as quickly as possible. Every time Karim Adeyemi, Jadon Sancho, or Julian Brandt dribbles, Terzic urgently urges them on with a very pressing tone.
Thus, Dortmund’s playstyle is clear: counter-attack as quickly as possible and avoid risky plays in their own half. Additionally, Dortmund’s latest practice match reveals their likely attacking trio for the final: Fullkrug, Adeyemi, and Sancho, the familiar trio that helped defeat Atletico Madrid and PSG.
Antonio Rudiger this season has successfully shut down Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. His next opponent: Niklas Fullkrug.
Fullkrug is the most thoroughly prepared among the players. The German national team striker is guided on positioning when Sancho, Adeyemi, or Ian Maatsen and Julian Ryerson get close to the byline and cross the ball in (mainly Sancho and Adeyemi, while Maatsen and Ryerson seem to stay back to counter Vinicius & Rodrygo). After training with his teammates, Fullkrug practiced shooting with an assistant coach for over 20 minutes.
Although the football world views Dortmund as the underdog, this has eased the players’ minds. Fullkrug, in an interview with Marca, expressed his confidence despite the upcoming match being the most significant of his career, with his opponent being fellow German international Antonio Rudiger.
“We have prepared very well, and the atmosphere is positive. Madrid is undoubtedly the favorite, but we will have the strongest support from the stands. Antonio, I really like him for his straightforwardness and tenacity in the game. He doesn’t shy away from physical play, and neither do I; I enjoy clashing with players like him,” Fullkrug said.
For Madrid, their motto is ‘until the end,’ and our head coach emphasized this. They only need a few minutes to turn the tide, as they did against Bayern, so we must be extra cautious. The first goal will decide a lot, but as you and I know, it doesn’t mean anything to Madrid as long as the match is ongoing.”
Indeed, Dortmund players have been mentally prepared for Real Madrid’s comeback ability. Kicker reported that Coach Terzic used video sessions to show his players key moments when Real Madrid scored decisive goals against Union Berlin, Leipzig, and Bayern this season, illustrating how they capitalize on mistakes.
Toni Kroos and Marco Reus will play their final matches for their clubs, which means their close friends won’t both have a happy ending. However, Fullkrug said, “I am a happy person and always want my comrades to be happy with me. I want to play against the strongest Real Madrid lineup, win for Reus, and win the EURO for Toni.”