Borussia Dortmund and PSG meet again in this season’s UEFA Champions League, with the stakes higher than ever in the semi-finals.
Borussia Dortmund and PSG were part of the now infamous Champions League group of death this season, which did deliver on its promise. The German giants were bundled in with Newcastle United and AC Milan but, on their own accord, managed the second spot in that tough group of teams.
They also found a way to breach the PSG defence in their last game of the group stages, managing an eventful draw to claim second spot. While their domestic season might still produce late twists, Dortmund are still vying to finish in the top four as they are currently fifth, behind RB Leipzig and some five points behind their rivals.
Suppose they are to manage a result as they did against Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals. In that case, winning the Champions League might become an objective, which in turn will keep them in the top-tier competition next season. In the quarter-fina, Dortmund turned the tie around after a 2-1 aggregate deficit from the first leg to outscore the Spanish giants with a 4-2 second-leg scoreline.
PSG will come into this clash without any pressure from their domestic league. The Parisians were crowned Ligue 1 Champions following Lyon’s win over second-placed AS Monaco. With the Championship title secured, Luis Enrique will want no excuses from his players in their quest to deliver the coveted Champions League crown.
PSG will be wary of their form after their weekend’s result with lowly placed Le Havre, with the match ending 3-3. However, Enrique will not mix domestic form and European experience, as he will take inspiration from their quarter-finals with former side Barcelona to prepare for the Dortmund clash.
PSG ousted Barcelona in the second leg primarily due to Ronald Araujo’s first-half dismissal. Enrique will enter into this clash against Dortmund with the idea of getting a similar result as they did during the group stages and will likely come to the Westfalenstadion as slight favourites to take a first-leg advantage.
Team News & Tactics
Borussia Dortmund
Edin Terzic will have wanted a fuller squad ahead of this crucial UEFA Champions League semi-final against PSG. Dortmund are already without full-back Ramy Bensebaini and striker Sebastien Haller for this clash.
Donyell Malen also appears out of contention with a thigh issue, although there are suggestions Dortmund will assess the Dutchman before the game. There are also considerable doubts about Mats Hummels and Ian Maatsen, who have shin and muscle issues.
Jadon Sancho and Karim Adeyemi could take the wide areas for Dortmund, with the former even opening the scoring against RB Leipzig, only for Dortmund to lose the clash 4-1. Niclas Fullkrug will lead the line for Dortmund, and even if Haller had been fit, the German would have started the game.
Despite Hummels’s doubt, the experienced defender might start the game, as his problem is not considered huge, and the same could be said about Maatsen when Terzic names his lineup.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can, Brandt: Adeyemi, Fullkrug, Sancho
PSG
Luis Enrique has fewer injury issues to deal with, as the ones that are absent have been sidelined for some time now. Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico, and Layvin Kurzawa are missing from action.
Once again, Enrique only kept star attacker Kylian Mbappe on the bench, as he wanted to keep the forward fresh for this Borussia Dortmund clash. The French superstar will have Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele in the front three.
Vitinha has no reason to miss out, as he has been fantastic in the Champions League clashes with Barcelona. He will have youngster Warren Zaire-Emery and the experienced Fabian Ruiz in that midfield. Marquinhos will marshall the backline and have Lucas Hernandez in central defence, while Nuno Mendes will play left-back.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Hernandez, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola
Key Stats
- In all competitions, Borussia Dortmund have seen under 2.5 goals in five of their last six matches against Paris Saint-Germain.
- BVB have only won one of their previous six meetings with PSG.
- BVB have not lost any of their last 10 home games in the Champions League.
- PSG have been unbeaten in all competitions in the last 15 away games.
- PSG have met BVB in the Champions League this season and stayed unbeaten in those two group games.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
If a player is made for the big occasion, it is Mbappe, and the French superstar cannot have a more significant occasion this season. To help PSG win games like these is why they have invested so heavily in Mbappe, and they will want the Champions League to win when he is playing. This might be their last chance with the striker in their squad.
Mbappe has been sensational this season and will target Borussia Dortmund to help his side take a significant advantage heading to Paris for the second leg. All eyes will be on the forward as he wants to make a considerable mark ahead of a substantial summer move somewhere.
Prediction
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 PSG
Borussia Dortmund have been excellent on home soil, and they have not lost a Champions League clash at Westfalenstadion in ten games as things stand. Hence, Edin Terzic will be hopeful of reviving their top form, which they showed against Atletico Madrid, in this game against PSG.
Les Parisiens boast of one of the best players in Europe in Kylian Mbappe. But they may need to gain the experience to pull through this clash and take a result back to Paris with the kind of form Dortmund are in at Westfalenstadion. Hence, the home side are the clear favourites to take a first-leg advantage.
