Edin Terzić: ‘If we are brave and not here to see Madrid win their next trophy, then we’re going to have a chance."

Macdara Ferris reports from Wembley

Borussia Dortmund aren’t just here in London to make up the numbers. BVB have brushed off any talk of underdogs even if they are coming up against heavily fancied favourites Real Madrid in Saturday’s Champions League Final.

They will have the full backing of the yellow wall that has transported from Germany to Wembley.

Edin Terzić has been part of that yellow wall. As a 14-year-old kid he watched BVB win the 1997 Champions League final on a big screen in his home town before heading to the airport with his brother to greet the victorious team the next day on the return home.

He was part of the back-room team when the club lost the 2013 final – also in Wembley – but now has the chance to claim the club’s second European crown against the toughest opponents.

“They have a role as the favourites, but we don’t care,” said Terzić at Friday’s pre-match press event in Wembley.

“We weren’t favourites against Atlético or Paris either (in the quarter-final or semi-final). If we are brave and not here to see Madrid win their next trophy, then we’re going to have a chance."

Julian Brandt echoed those sentiments: “(Madrid) is the ultimate opponent in the Champions League with their history,” said the Dortmund playmaker.

“Our Champions League season gives us courage. We all have absolute faith. If it were any different, we might as well have stayed at home (in Dortmund)."

BVB did have a slow start to their Champions League campaign this season – losing 2-0 to Paris and drawing at home to Milan in their opening two matches.

But they got going with back-to-back wins over Newcastle in the group stages and never looked back. Dortmund had a dramatic 5-4 aggregate victory in the quarters before getting revenge over PSG with a pair of 1-0 wins in the semi.

"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.

"We are the team with the most clean sheets in the competition. You need to keep the opposition as far away from goal as possible.”

Speaking mostly in English answering the global sports media’s questions, Terzić admitted that: “I thought I might be nervous but I can’t feel it. It is because we are so confident that we will play a great game tomorrow.”

He politely sidestepped the question put to him about his club’s new sponsorship partnership with German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.

"Our board make the decision and communicate the decision. For me it would be the logical case if you talk to our board members and decision makers and not the head coach preparing the team."

Facing him across the technical area on Saturday evening will be serial winner Carlo Ancelotti and the 41-year-old BVB boss spoke about his admiration for Don Carlo.

"I have the biggest respect for Carlo Ancelotti. He has made it with different teams, in different countries and cultures and, over two decades, he’s been successful. The way he manages teams, he is a role model, and he is one of my role models in this business."

Carlo Ancelotti still winning hearts, minds and matches https://t.co/DH8XF4kSejpic.twitter.com/t0B5VvxdHc

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Ancelotti’s side is bursting with talent – perhaps none greater than Jude Bellingham who was La Liga's player of the year and a former Dortmund player.

Nico Schlotterbeck spoke about the attacking threat his defence faces in Wembley – Vini Junior, Rodrygo and Joselu have all scored five goals in the Champions League this season with Bellingham just a goal behind.

“We'll have to see how we defend. Their front three have enormous quality. I know Jude [Bellingham] as we played together for a year. Jude can do everything: shoot, dribble and head. We can't stop them on our own, only as a team."

Champions League Final Preview: Borussia Dortmund -v- Real Madrid https://t.co/8Rwt2qlqz1pic.twitter.com/v9AWh6IuOH

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