An esteemed coach eagerly awaits BVB's success while watching on television. - Hitzfeld calls off Wembley event
The invitation to London has been politely rejected by esteemed trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld (75). Instead of attending the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid in person at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening, the champion player of 1997 from Dortmund opts to stay home in Lorrach with his spouse Beatrix and watch the game on TV. After fully recovering from a hip surgery in January, Hitzfeld rarely watches football matches and prefers to play with his grandchildren in the garden. "Every moment has its own time," he expresses gratefully.
Hitzfeld: "That's correct. I no longer enjoy large gatherings of people. It makes me uncomfortable. Of course, if you're up on the stage, it's fantastic. But the travel and all the other aspects would be too stressful for me. It's far more comfortable to lounge in my living room."
Do you believe Borussia can achieve another victory after 27 years?
Hitzfeld: "I sincerely hope so for the club and all the supporters of Dortmund. The enthusiasm and love for football in the Ruhr area are unparalleled. They deserve to experience such a triumph."
What are the odds?
Hitzfeld: "Real Madrid is indisputably the favorite, but Paris faced challenges in the semi-finals. Borussia has displayed remarkable talent in the Champions League thus far. Although their performance in the previous season's Bundesliga was rather humdrum..."
How can these two situations coexist?
Hitzfeld grinning: "It appears as if Borussia gave up in the league early on to concentrate solely on the Champions League. Perhaps it was a strategic decision. Securing qualification for international competition was the sole objective. Whether it was 4th or 5th place in the Bundesliga became irrelevant. For everyone, it all hinged on the crown."
Did you anticipate Borussia making it to the final?
Hitzfeld: "No, I figured Bayern would be the one to advance – I'm being honest here. But now Dortmund has nothing to lose and can only gain a victory. That's a splendid opportunity. The weight on Real Madrid's shoulders is substantial."
Have you sent well-wishes to Edin Terzic beforehand?
Hitzfeld: "I abstain from participation in such matters. He'll receive plenty of helpful advice and words of support. He doesn't require any more motivation from me. He knows what he must do."
What do you think of him?
Hitzfeld: "I'm only familiar with Edin Terzic on a superficial level. His demeanor on the sidelines appeals to me. He seems earnest and genuine. He seems like a good fit for Dortmund. With a triumph over Madrid, he could attain legendary status in Dortmund..."
Wouldn't it be ironic if Terzic managed to match their sole success on Saturday night?
Hitzfeld: "Absolutely not! If Dortmund were to win against Madrid, I would be overjoyed. My time spent in Dortmund is some of the most cherished in my life. Of course, my stint at Bayern Munich was also important and memorable. Nonetheless, football in the Ruhr area possesses its own unique intensity."
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Source: symclub.org
