Dortmund keeper Roman calls on spirit of ’97

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL:

Dortmund are the underdogs for tomorrow’s meeting with Bayern Munich at Wembley, just as they were when Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side beat defending champions Juventus 3-1 to win the title 16 years ago.

The 32-year-old said: “Everyone still speaks today with unbelievable admiration about the ’97 team. Should we now also succeed in lifting the trophy in London, we would probably achieve a similar status.

“Champions League winners — that would be the best for the club and for us.”

Weidenfeller, who was in brilliant form in the semi-final second leg against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, is expected to be in for a busy night at Wembley, but claims he is ready for anything Bayern throw at him.

“We have extensive video material,” he added. “And moreover we know Bayern. No matter what happens in the final, nothing can surprise us.”

Dortmund will be without the Bayern-bound Mario Gotze through injury, but Weidenfeller knows the team can cope without him.

“It goes without saying that with him we have a different quality,” he said. “(But) everything shouldn’t rest on him. In the DFB-Pokal final in 2012 Mario also didn’t play.”

On that occasion, Dortmund ran out 5-2 winners against Bayern with the help of a Robert Lewandowski hat-trick.

For his part, Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is aiming to treat Wembley to footballing perfection.

Bayern can complete part two of a possible treble with victory, having already reclaimed their Bundesliga crown, while they face Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal final on June 1.

“We’ve taken a massive stride towards perfection, and we’re aiming for a perfect performance in the final,” Schweinsteiger said.

“If we play to our full potential, it’s very hard for anyone to win against us.”