I love it when stories end, and close gracefully.

This is awesome. It’s as if FC Bayern Munich have beaten all kinds of opponents in Europe, and to confirm their superiority over the rest, they have to beat their worst nemesis (the team which troubled them the most over the last few years) over one game. If Bayern would go on to beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, it would be a closure of sorts.

Some might want to talk about destiny, but I fear a Dortmund victory in the final would come as a sledgehammer on the head for the fate-binders (like myself) who think Bayern are destined to win this. The same goes for BVB fans. Both Bayern and Dortmund have their own closures.

For Bayern, it redeems at burying their worst nemesis over the last three years, at the final of a competition where they have been runners-up 2 times in 3 years. The first time was a case of individual brilliance backed up by team determination, the next time was a case of solid team play plagued by a lack of depth and luck. For coach Jupp Heynckes, it is about the prestige and his signing off from over 50 years in football. I’d keep some for ex-coach Louis Van Gaal as well, since this Bayern “project” got off with him – but the question still lingers: is it now too late for Bayern to clinch their redemption? They’re a monster right now, but heroes have slain monsters before.

For Dortmund and it’s coach Juergen Klopp, it probably is their rare shot as they face an exodus of talent with the likes of Mario Goetze and Robert Lewandowski on their way out, and others such as Mats Hummels rumoured to exit. If there was recognition for the effort in the project which was nurtured and guided by Klopp, it can be argued that winning the Champions League is probably the biggest. I wouldn’t demand a lot from them to “prove” now that they deserve to be there, up against the mighty Bayern. Surviving the group of death and handing a football lesson to Jose Mourinho and his crop of “galacticos” (once again) suffices by a margin.

For either side, the heartbreak which will follow post the result on 25-May will perhaps exceed the joy. I’d be brutal and say it doesn’t matter if Dortmund lose. They’ve come a long way in their first real Champions League season in this project of theirs. Beating this Bayern side in this first attempt would get my respect eventually, amongst others; however, the heartbreak and afterthought would be excessive since for Bayern, beating Dortmund at this poise is essential enough to make their story complete. This Dortmund project can live to fight another day. Bayern can’t think right now of “another time” under upcoming coach Pep Guardiola.

Bayern have already taken out the team that kept them out of two competitions last year. They have got to finish them off in the even more elusive third, the Champions League. In England, Keep Calm and Finish Dortmund.

(Lord Byron is a fan of Bayern München and a member of BayernZone forum)

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