Dortmund Proved Doubters Wrong by Escaping ‘Group of Death’, Says Terzic 

Dortmund's players celebrate after winning the Champions League group F soccer match between AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP)
Dortmund's players celebrate after winning the Champions League group F soccer match between AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP)
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Dortmund Proved Doubters Wrong by Escaping ‘Group of Death’, Says Terzic 

Dortmund's players celebrate after winning the Champions League group F soccer match between AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP)
Dortmund's players celebrate after winning the Champions League group F soccer match between AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP)

Borussia Dortmund had proved the doubters wrong by securing qualification from a Champions League group of heavy hitters, head coach Edin Terzic said, after his side won 3-1 at AC Milan on Tuesday.

Drawn alongside Paris St Germain, Newcastle United and Milan, Dortmund got off to a woeful start in their campaign by taking just a point from their opening two matches, but then won three games straight to ensure a top-two finish in Group F.

"We all remember that evening after the draw when they reported about the 'Group of Death,'" Terzic told reporters.

"We also remember the first game in Paris when everyone told us after the defeat now it's going to be difficult.

"And then after the 0-0 at home against Milan, they said, yes, now it's over. And then we went there as leaders in this group," he added.

Terzic said injury issues made things difficult ahead of the Milan game.

"We didn't talk about it like that before the game, but you got a message almost every 30 minutes, every 60 minutes," he added.

"The (doctor) came with new information, who can make the squad, who can't, who can play a half and who can't... it wasn't easy and yet the lads fought their way through it today."

The three other teams remain in contention for a spot in the knockout rounds going into the final round of fixtures on Dec. 13, with Dortmund hosting PSG and Milan visiting Newcastle.



Defeated Villa Eager to Go Again in Champions League 

Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
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Defeated Villa Eager to Go Again in Champions League 

Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)

Narrowly defeated by Paris St Germain at the Champions League quarter-final stage, Aston Villa are now focused on getting straight back next year into Europe's top club competition.

"I am very proud of everything we did in the Champions League," Villa boss Unai Emery said as the dust settled from a pulsating clash with PSG whom they beat 3-2 in Tuesday's second leg but lost 3-1 to in the first game for an overall 5-4 defeat.

Villa are seventh in the Premier League but only a point off fifth which would secure them a Champions League berth again.

"It is now most important to get Europe again. The most important competition is the Champions League. The challenge we have for the last six matches (of the Premier League) is to try and get Europe and the Champions League," Emery said.

His pride at Villa's strong showing, after a four-decade absence from Europe's elite, was tinged with frustration at just failing to pull off a remarkable comeback as they came so close to scoring a fourth goal at Villa Park that would have levelled the tie on aggregate.

"We were close," he said, adding that he had to push his team on to achieve ever more. "Still a little bit more to do better, to try to get it."

Aston Villa captain John McGinn, who scored on Tuesday, echoed the sentiment.

"Obvious disappointment but I am proud of my teammates, proud of the club. We have come a long way. We were so, so close tonight. We just fell a little bit short," he said.

"We had chances to take the game to extra time but we've got to be proud about the way we came back against one of the best teams in the world, to fight to the end. We want more. We want to be back here next season and we will try our best to do that."

McGinn said the players gave their all against a superb opponent. "We never gave up. It was chaos, but we gave absolutely everything and I think every Aston Villa supporter will leave with a huge sense of pride," he said.

"I've never played against Real Madrid or Barcelona, but in my career they (PSG) are the best team I have faced. I'm getting old and I certainly wouldn't like to play against them every week."