Built on courage and corruption but with a touch of flair, few players embody coach Edin Terzic’s Borussia Dortmund more than centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck.
Known in the past for their attacking brilliance, Dortmund’s run to Saturday’s Champions League final, where they face 14-time champions Real Madrid, was built on a resolute defense.
Playing his second season at Dortmund, Schlotterbeck established himself in central defense alongside veteran Mats Hummels, pushing Niklas Suele – winner of the 2020 Champions League final with Bayern Munich – into a secondary role.
Schlotterbeck and Hummels helped keep Paris Saint-Germain at bay in the semi-finals with consecutive clean sheets.
Dortmund have conceded just nine goals in this Champions League campaign despite facing PSG four times and playing home and away games against Newcastle, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven.
Their opponents, Real Madrid, have conceded 15 goals this campaign.
While the 24-year-old demonstrated his speed and athleticism during spells at Union Berlin and Freiburg, his decision-making and understanding of the game have improved rapidly this season.
Schlotterbeck’s form has been so strong as Dortmund arrive at Wembley that he was recalled to Germany’s Euro 2024 squad after being left out by manager Julian Nagelsmann in March.
Few advised Dortmund to exit the group stage, let alone reach their third Champions League final.
Runners-up in 2013, Dortmund can draw inspiration from their 1997 title win against the much-loved Juventus, who they defeated 3-1 in Munich.
– ‘Grab the opportunity’ –
A win on Saturday would mean Dortmund – a member-run club with a smaller budget than other European heavyweights – would join the likes of Juventus, Benfica and Chelsea with two Champions League titles.
The German club lifted the trophy for the first time in 1997.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Schlotterbeck was looking forward to facing the Spanish giants and said Dortmund should take advantage of their underdog status.
“I always wanted to play against Real, for me it is the biggest club in the world.
“But we must not be afraid, we must not be amazed. It has to be a completely normal game for us.
“This season we were often the underdogs in the Champions League and that suited us quite well.”
The defender said Dortmund should focus on their own game against Real.
“For us it means getting into the game quickly, moving the ball quickly and imposing our game on Real Madrid.
“If we can do that, then I’m optimistic we can do it.”
Ahead of the final match of the club season, before joining Germany’s Euro camp, Schlotterbeck drew parallels with Dortmund’s final league match of the previous season.
With their massive 82,000-seat Westfalenstadion in full swing, Dortmund needed to beat mid-table Mainz to win the league for the first time in a decade.
However, Dortmund were 2-0 down after 25 minutes and, despite fighting for a 2-2 draw, would see the title handed to arch-rivals Bayern Munich for the 11th consecutive time.
Fifth in the league this season and 27 points behind champions Bayer Leverkusen, last season still weighs heavily on Dortmund.
“Maybe we thought about it too much at the time. But we know what happens here in the city when we win a title and what it means to people.”
The defender, however, said the situation has changed, with few favoring Dortmund against the power of Real Madrid.
“Last season we had something to lose against Mainz, now we have something to gain. We have to take advantage of this opportunity.”
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