Looking back at how things stood when these two Champions League competitors last met, the reversal is staggering.

Borussia Dortmund had then been a formidable Bundesliga team on a single-minded mission. Real Madrid CF was a team divided thanks in large part to the antics of Jose Mourinho, the club’s former manager.

Mourinho has since moved on to Chelsea FC, a London side struggling to get to the next stage of competition.

Amidst the turmoil was Dortmund, who danced around Real Madrid with ease to go on and face Bayern Munich in the finals.

This year it was a far different story as Real Madrid soundly defeated Dortmund 3-0.

Cristiano Ronaldo was succinently on form. His goal in the 57th minute that allowed him to equal the record for most Champion’s League goals scored in a single campaign.

The goal record was previously held by Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid 3-0 Borussia Dortmund – read Paul Bryan's match report from the Santiago Bernabéu: http://t.co/tqDKB0cuT9 pic.twitter.com/qLy0NTVmiw

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 2, 2014

Dortmund have to do better than the 4-1 home victory that helped them advance last year. There is a great deal of skepticism as to whether or not the Bundesliga team can beat the odds.

“Do you think I am an idiot?” was Klopp’s response when asked in the post match interview about Dortmund’s ability to turn things around in the second leg.

“We lost 3-0 and now we have to shut up. This is not a situation for hope or big speeches.”

It was hardly a rival to the Saint Crispin’s Day speech to say the least. It is instead a sign that Dortmund may have already psychologically conceded defeat ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to Germany.

Real Madrid has been named a heavy favorite in the Champions League at this late stage of competition. Rivals Atlético Madrid and Barcelona are set to face each other next week.

There is a good chance that the semifinals or final itself could feature a derby or clasico.

The possibility has many already looking forward to the next stage of the game. Such anticipation means that Dortmund has already been written off.

How much things can change in a year’s time.

Rafael Nadal was at the Bernabéu to watch Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund. pic.twitter.com/T1JOSHqASj

— RMadridAmor (@RMadridAmor) April 3, 2014

Image via YouTube