What has been your favourite moment of this Champions League season?

"The semi-final in Paris is one of the moments. When you’re in a quarter or a semi-final, it is clear that the final is the objective. When you make it, a lot of weight falls off your shoulders, even if we as Borussia Dortmund did not have the same big pressure as Paris or other clubs who have had the big goal of getting to the final for years. We’re back again after 1997 and 2013 and it’s a special occasion for us, for the club and for the region. The fact that the name Borussia Dortmund is in the final is indescribable, because it’s the biggest match that you can reach in club football. There’s a great sense of anticipation."

What do you remember about the time after the final whistle in Paris?

"The happy faces. All the moments only sink in afterwards when you think about them and watch videos. The exuberant mood and atmosphere in the dressing room. Having that feeling: We're in the final! That's something wonderful that very few people believed in. We believed in it after we played against PSV Eindhoven. It's a short but tough road to the final. There aren't many games. There were great moments in Paris from the final whistle through to the early hours of the morning."

Now you’re off to Wembley. It’s a return to the scene of one of the most painful defeats.

"That’s 11 years ago now, it’s against another opponent, other players are involved. There are worse things than starting with a Champions League final at Wembley in 2013 and finishing with a Champions League final at Wembley in 2024. Now the big objective is that we also win it. You can hardly imagine the scenes that would take place in Dortmund the next day."

How do you view Real Madrid?

"Real Madrid have been in the final five times in the last 10 years. You know the quality that awaits you. You know that the players are used to this situation, that they are probably less nervous. But that is not ultimately what determines whether you win the match or not. They have some unbelievably strong individual players, they play calm football, but they can also press high, they run a great deal. It comes down to various moments. You need a very good day and also some luck in a final. If you have the opportunity, you have to try to score goals yourself. In the end it’s one game and anything is possible in one game. We must believe in it and we will believe in it. We'll have an unbelievable level of support in the final. We have to channel the energy in the city and in the stadium as a club and then anything is possible. We certainly believe in it."

What does it mean to you that your final game for BVB is a Champions League final?

"It's wonderful. There’s nothing better than to compete in and win a Champions League final in your last match."