Gregor Kobel was the first Swiss goalkeeper in a Champions League final. But the 26-year-old could not become the 5th title winner from our country.
Gregor Kobel’s 12th appearance at Champions League level this season did not bring the end he had hoped for. After the Bundesliga high-flyer had kept two clean sheets in the previous two matches in the semi-final duel with PSG – and a total of six times this campaign – he and Dortmund were defeated again in the final.
After a long, uneventful day at work without any significant opportunity to distinguish himself, Kobel was caught by Dani Carvajal in the 74th minute and by Vinicius less than 10 minutes later. He said afterwards that he was powerless to stop either goal.
A missed opportunity
Real Madrid’s 2-0 final victory and the “Royals'” 15th title win triggered a rollercoaster of emotions for Kobel. “At the moment you just feel disappointment. A huge disappointment.” But the BVB captain also let his pride shine through in the bitter moment. His “black and yellow” had shown “that we can compete at the highest international level.” This realization gives him self-confidence.
Kobel was particularly dissatisfied with the way the game went, as his team had dominated the first half for the most part. “You don’t get many chances against Real. We had them, but we should have made much more of them.”
We know only too well that an opponent of Real’s calibre remains dangerous at all times. “And so they struck with their quality.”
Now back to the second row
So there was no chance of a 5th Swiss Champions League title holder after Stéphane Chapuisat (1997), Ciriaco Sforza (2001), Xherdan Shaqiri (2013/2019) and Manuel Akanji, whom he could have seamlessly succeeded. Kobel has to console himself with the fact that he was the first Swiss goalkeeper to appear in a Champions League final. And he certainly drew attention to himself with some saves:
- In the 49th minute, he scrapes a free kick from Toni Kroos out of the corner.
- 7 minutes later, he prevented the earlier 0-1 against Carvajal in collaboration with Ian Maatsen.
Legend:
Is he already preparing for the national team?
For Gregor Kobel, the season is not over with the CL final.
imago images/ANP
Nevertheless, it was a painful defeat, and he won’t be able to dwell on it for too long. On Monday, he will be joining the Swiss camp to continue preparations for the European Championship. The 26-year-old will do this as number 2, as he has long been told.
Courtois wins – and goes on holiday
The opposite is true for Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian emerged as champion from the final at Wembley. “I’m so happy. For me, it was already a victory just to be there. The fact that I’m now a winner after this horror season with the cruciate ligament tear makes it all the more beautiful.”
At the EURO in Germany, however, there will be no place for the 32-year-old Courtois in the squad of the “Red Devils”.