Drawing strength from a moment of adversity when their star Mario Gotze was revealed in the media as making a blockbuster move to rivals Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund convincingly defeated Real Madrid 4-1 on Wednesday, taking a huge step toward the Champions League final.

Despite confirmation on the eve of the first-leg semifinal that star player Mario Goetze is leaving for bitter rival Bayern Munich, Dortmund responded to ill-timed questions over its very place in the hierarchy of European football with a comprehensive defeat of one of the continent’s most aristocratic sides.

Robert Lewandowski’s four goals lined up the prospect of an all-German final at Wembley Stadium on May 25, following Bayern’s 4-0 rout of Barcelona on Tuesday. The second leg matches will be played next week.

“We still have to go to Madrid. That won’t be a stroll in the park,” Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp said.