It’s Germany calling in London
Viewed from the continent’s economic and now footballing powerhouse, there is bound to be considerable appeal, not to mention pride, in the idea of fussball coming home but, for the rest of us, it’s hard to shake off a slight sense of disappointment that a competition originally designed to give an international dimension to European club football has once again resolved itself into something much closer to a national derby.
One thinks of Manchester United and Chelsea in the 2008 final in Moscow. It was not a match short of heart-stopping drama, but leave aside the extra time and the penalty shoot-out, and you could still have been watching another of Sky’s beloved Super Sunday showdowns.
Of course, once the winners of this year’s quarter-finals had been confirmed, there was only ever going to be a one in three chance of the 2013 final pitting nation against nation in the guise of their respective leading club lights. The surprise for many, when it came, was that of the two other possibilities, the heavily fancied re-run of the ‘El Clasico’ at Wembley was simply blasted out of sight at the semi-final stage, as Munich and Dortmund put seven and four goals respectively past Barcelona and Real Madrid.
So, we still can’t quibble with the reality that the two German sides arrive at Wembley entirely on merit.
And, as neutrals, we still have the luxury of investing some emotional input into backing the underdog, Borussia Dortmund, if such a description is not an insult to a re-born club which has enjoyed so much success in recent years. Nevertheless, it remains the case that Bayern retain their historical status as the Big Daddy of German football, something reinforced before a ball is even kicked tonight by the sheer financial muscle which has already allowed them to wrestle star man Mario Gotze away from their opponents in time for next season. And many expect Robert Lewandowski — who scored all four in the semi-final first leg against Real – to follow suit. (Unfortunately, spoiling what would have been a zesty sub-plot, Gotze has been ruled out of the game with a hamstring problem).
There’s also so much intrinsically to admire about Dortmund, from their hugely atmospheric stadium to their colourful strip and even more colourful manager. I count myself fortunate to have been in the Westfalenstadion once, albeit for a World Cup semi-final rather than a Dortmund home game when their famous Yellow Wall Kop is, by all accounts, truly a sight and sound to behold.
Still, with Germany hosting Italy in the 2006 match I covered, few stadia in the world could have matched Dortmund’s home for the electric atmosphere which prevailed on the night. Sadly for the hosts, the passion play in the stands did not quite find its mirror image on the pitch, an Italian victory bringing Germany’s month-long, nationwide fiesta to a juddering halt.
Happily, they’ve had no shortage of happier nights to lift local spirits in the Westfalenstadion, especially since Dortmund head coach Jurgen Klopp took over five years ago. A charming man who wears his heart on his sleeve, he has been known to be hailed as ‘Kloppo’ by his players, a nickname which makes him sound a bit like someone you’d hire to perform magic tricks and turn cartwheels at a kids’ birthday party. But in a recent interview, the man himself declared, sensibly enough: “I don’t think it’s disrespectful. At Mainz, when I started as a coach, the players were my team mates. The next day I’m their coach. Must they start calling me ‘Sir’?”
In any event, for all his clowning around, he is clearly a canny and capable manager whose personal and professional qualities are amply reflected in the rare spirit and thrilling attacking approach of his team.
Still, not all our sympathies should necessarily lie with Dortmund. Spare a thought too for veteran gaffer Jupp Heynckes who, despite leading Bayern to the brink of a treble this season, already knows his desk is being cleared for the arrival of former Barca manager Pep Guardiola. And when you recall how heartbroken Munich were to lose in the final at home to Chelsea last year – not to mention the sensational, last minute turn-around which denied them what would have been a deserved victory against Manchester United in 1999 – then there are substantial grounds for not begrudging the Bavarian giants their first Champions League title since 2001.
In the final analysis, I suppose what we all really want is two teams committed to exciting, attacking football. If Bayern and Borussia Dortmund succeed in turning on the style tonight then, whatever the result, the whole world of football will have reason to rejoice in the first all-German final.
