Exclusive: Borussia Dortmund has discovered a successful strategy to reach the unexpected Champions League final.

Owen Hargreaves, the former footballer turned sports journalist, believes that Borussia Dortmund will need to work collectively and go the extra mile if they want to cause an upset in the UEFA Champions League final.

The Bundesliga side will face Real Madrid at Wembley on June 1, in a match that will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Real Madrid, who have had a dominant domestic campaign and recently won the Liga crown, will be a formidable opponent for Dortmund. In contrast, Dortmund had an inconsistent season in the Bundesliga and finished in fifth place.

However, Dortmund has excelled in the Champions League this season. They managed to escape the “group of death” which included Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Newcastle. They then secured knockout wins over PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid. In the semi-finals, they faced PSG again and secured a shock 2-0 aggregate win to book their place in the final.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Hargreaves acknowledged that Dortmund could have been knocked out in their previous matches but somehow found a way to perform in the Champions League. He highlighted the hard work and dedication of the attacking players, such as Karim Adeyemi, Jadon Sancho, and Julian Brandt, who have been putting in extra effort and tracking back defensively.

Hargreaves also praised the performances of defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels, as well as the goalkeeper and left-back Ian Maatsen. He believes that Dortmund has found a winning formula at the most crucial part of the season.

Despite lacking star power due to the club’s strategy of selling their top players for profit, Hargreaves suggested that the current Dortmund team is more united than previous stronger sides. He emphasized the importance of a solid defense and the collective effort of the team.

As underdogs in the final, Dortmund will face immense pressure. Hargreaves disagreed with the notion that they will be under less pressure and advised the players to enjoy the occasion as much as possible. He acknowledged that playing in the Champions League final is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and that the pressure will be on, despite not being the favorites.

Hargreaves concluded by saying that both teams will feel the pressure, but Dortmund needs to find a way to enjoy it. He highlighted that Dortmund has been the underdog throughout the season and has managed to beat everyone they faced.