Borussia Dortmund have perpetually embraced their underdog tag, with the club’s ability to thrive when unfavoured allowing them to scale great heights.
Dortmund have never been Germany’s supreme force. They’re the third-most successful team in German football history, but periods of success have been somewhat fleeting.
BVB came close to achieving sustained dominance under Jurgen Klopp at the start of the 2010s, but their time at the summit of the German game was brief compared to the several domineering spells Bayern Munich enjoyed, what Borussia Monchengladbach embarked on in the 70s, Hamburg thereafter and Schalke pre-World War Two.
Their sporadic domestic successes has seen Dortmund compete at Europe’s top table on many occasions, although regular appearances in UEFA’s premier club competition is a fairly modern phenomenon. And they’re very rarely there to make up the numbers.
Here’s a reminder of Dortmund’s history with the Champions League final.
There was once a time when league champions and league champions only qualified for the European Cup/Champions League. Thus, Dortmund reached their maiden Champions League final on just their fifth appearance in 1996/97.
They’d previously gone as far as the semi-finals in 1963/64 but had to wait over 30 years for their next appearance in 1995/96.
Dortmund endured a disappointing Bundesliga title defence in 96/97, with their campaign revolving around their continental journey. They progressed alongside Atletico Madrid from Group B and benefitted from a kind quarter-final draw with Auxerre, downing the French side 4-1 on aggregate.
A Manchester United outfit still trying to get to grips with the European stage were beaten 1-0 in both legs of their semi-final before the mighty Juventus awaited in the final. Juve, the holders and competing in the second of three consecutive Champions League finals, were the clear favourites,
Ottmar Hitzfeld had the rare luxury amid a tumultuous campaign of having a full complement of players available, although Dortmund’s stars paled in comparison to the individual majesty of the Bianconeri.
Ricken, Riedle, Sammer, Möller, Kohler, Lambert, the list goes on and on! ⭐️
The Legends of ’97 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2TbuaS1ApY
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 28, 2020
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