Borussia Dortmund CEO Lars Ricken has explained how getting the better of AC Milan in the group stage helped fuel their run to the Champions League final.
Speaking to Sky Sports Deutschland in the week leading up to the final against Real Madrid (via Milan News), Ricken reflected on the journey that his team went on to reach the final for the first time since 2013.
Milan and Dortmund were both drawn in what was quickly labelled the group of death, as it also contained Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United.
the first match between Milan and Dortmund ended 0-0 and the Rossoneri should have won based on the chances they created, but wastefulness proved to be their undoing. Dortmund won the other game 3-1 which was a big step towards winning the group.
As Ricken explains, making it through that tough group was the beginning of the snowball effect that gave them the confidence to reach the final.
“I think it’s just a question of having a little hope. What I feel is that there really is an absolute belief, that self-confidence prevailed in the so-called group of death and against PSV, who up to that point were unbeaten in the league, and against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain,” he said.
“I think we are capable of winning this match. If they enter the field with this attitude, our chances of winning increase significantly.”
The final will take place at Wembley on Saturday, the day after Milan play their post-season friendly against AS Roma in Australia.