Borussia Dortmund suffered a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final, leaving coach Edin Terzic feeling a mix of pride and emptiness. Despite dominating the first half, Dortmund failed to capitalize on their chances, allowing Madrid to secure their 15th European crown with late goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior. This marks Dortmund’s third major European final loss in a row, but Terzic still managed to find positives in the team’s performance.
In an interview with TNT Sports after the match, Terzic expressed his conflicting emotions, saying, “After losing a Champions League final, I feel proud but also empty. It’s difficult to reflect on the past year and analyze that period. However, we’ve had a season full of ups and downs.”
He emphasized the importance of consistency moving forward, stating, “Today was a perfect example of what this team is capable of achieving. We need to strive for more consistency.”
Terzic acknowledged Madrid’s effectiveness in front of goal, admitting, “Performance-wise, we played a great game, but we witnessed why they are 15-time champions. They were incredibly efficient, something we lacked.”
Despite the disappointment, Terzic commended his team’s effort, saying, “We showed that we came here to win, not just play a game. We were close, with only small things missing. Congratulations to Madrid for maintaining their hunger. It’s clear why they are champions.”
Reflecting on the journey to the final, Terzic expressed pride in the support from Dortmund fans, stating, “This is a proud moment. We brought 100,000 people from Dortmund to London, and everyone had belief. It was a fantastic journey, but I also feel a bit empty inside because it was a great opportunity that we didn’t seize.”
On the opposing side, former Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham made history as the third-youngest player to start a Champions League final for Madrid at the age of 20 years and 338 days, following in the footsteps of Iker Casillas and Raul. Terzic praised Bellingham and sent his congratulations to the young England international.
“When he left us, I told him the same thing I told Erling Haaland – that I was proud to be their manager,” Terzic said. “This is his first Champions League win, and it’s a proud moment for him. I know the hard work that Mark, Denise, and Jobe have put in to achieve this success in the family. Congratulations to Jude.”
