Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2023/24 UEFA Champions League
Final
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wembley Stadium
London, England
Saturday, 1 June 2024
Kick-off is at 19h00
Mats Hummels returns to the scene of his 2013 disappointment when Borussia Dortmund go head-to-head with Real Madrid in the
UEFA Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday, June 1.
The 35-year-old defender was part of the team that suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich in the 2012-13 decider at the same venue as Dortmund narrowly missed out on a second European title.
Hummels has featured every minute of BVB's 12 matches in the competition this season, scoring twice, including the winner against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the semi-finals.
The Germany international has faced Los Blancos six times on the European stage in the famous yellow and black colours of Dortmund and admits they pose a formidable challenge, but be believes Edin Terzic's side will relish the task of ending their monopoly on the final.
"Real Madrid are a Champions League team. What can you say? They're the biggest club in the world. They always rely on their strengths. They don't get nervous, whatever happens in a match," he told the club's official website.
"It's impressive to see that even if the first 15 minutes don't go well, they don't get restless but rather they know they'll get back into the game. That's what sets them apart.
"It's fantastic to play a final against them and to have the chance to be the first team to beat them in an international final for about 40 years."
Hummels imparted some words of wisdom for the younger players in the team who haven't experienced the magnitude of such an occasion.
"One thing is for sure: You cannot predict the emotions that will come. It's the second-biggest match in the world," he declared. "The biggest match is the World Cup final, the second-biggest is the Champions League final. I've played in both.
"I'm normally someone who concentrates fully and entirely on my game on the pitch, regardless of the significance or the moment. But the feeling was very different before and during the two games.
"The importance is so great that you need to prepare yourself for it. It can be overwhelming. You have to be careful that it doesn't make you feel smaller than you are."
Head-to-Head (Last Five UEFA Champions League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Dortmund wins - 1
Real Madrid wins - 2
Draws - 2
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