Oliver Kirch was under contract with BVB from 2012 to 2015. He himself was in the squad for the 2013 Champions League final. Now he is rooting for his former club.

Ex-BVB professional Oliver Kirch took the time to talk to RS about the upcoming Champions League final. He is keeping his fingers crossed for his former club against Real Madrid on June 1.

The current coach of Borussia Mönchengladbach’s U19s remembers the time when he was also in the squad for a Champions League final: “We were there eleven years ago. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it then.”

Even though Borussia Dortmund were not always at their best in the Bundesliga this season, they regularly showed what they are capable of in the Champions League. That also gives Kirch hope. “It wasn’t a top season for BVB, but in the Champions League they always managed to come out on top, even against the favorites. That’s also necessary now to win against Real.”

According to him, the underdog role in particular could play well for Borussia: “I think BVB can cope quite well with this underdog role. That could be an advantage, that nobody expects anything, so that they can perhaps pull off a surprise win.”

However, he is aware of the difficulty of the task. Above all, keeping Madrid’s offense in check will be the key to success: “You have to try to keep the offense under control, but at the same time make sure that you somehow score a goal yourself,” he explained.

In the one game, you have to be completely there. You don’t have a second chance.

Oliver Kirch

“Every team that has played Real this year has learned that it’s difficult,” added Kirch. The special nature of a final should not be underestimated either. “It’s a final. You have to be completely there in the one game. You don’t have a second chance.” It’s a form of pressure that BVB have felt frequently over the past twelve years, while Real Madrid have felt it even more regularly.

In addition to winning the final in 2012, 2017 and 2021 (DFB Cup), Borussia also lost every final in four consecutive seasons in 2013 (Champions League), 2014, 2015 and 2016. This year, as clear underdogs, things should be different.

Victory for Reus: “The outcome we all want”

In his three seasons at BVB, Kirch was on the pitch with Marco Reus every season. He also wishes his former colleague a “cheesy” farewell at Borussia.

“The outcome we all want is clear. It’s his birthday on May 31. One day later, he can win the Champions League and then retire. I don’t think it gets any more fairytale than that.”

Even after Reus’ last Bundesliga game, that would be all the more fitting. “He already showed it in his last Bundesliga game. Once again from the start as captain with a fantastic free-kick goal. His 100th home goal. It’s somehow all far too cheesy, actually.”

The Dortmund club legend would crown his era at BVB with a Champions League victory. “Why wouldn’t that be the story that finally makes him immortal?” Kirch is definitely keeping his fingers crossed for his former colleague and the entire team as much as he can