Dortmund Clinches 1-0 Victory Over PSG in Champions League Semifinal
Borussia Dortmund secured a crucial 1-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, with Niclas Füllkrug’s decisive goal propelling them to victory.
This victory provides Dortmund with a slight edge as they head into the second leg in Paris next week.
In the 36th minute, Fullkrug superbly controlled a long pass over the top from Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, and then he sent it past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with his next touch.
“This season, I have attempted to put the ball in at the near post a few times already. Füllkrug stated, “This time it worked out, and I’m even happier that it’s in such an important game.”
Dortmund’s victory gives them a slim lead heading into Tuesday’s second leg match in Paris, where the French champion will need to reverse the outcome to win Europe’s top award before Kylian Mbappé departs the team.
PSG has pressure to secure a Champions League victory in order to validate over ten years of substantial investment from its Qatari proprietors.
With its victory, Dortmund guaranteed its spot in the competition for the following year, giving the Bundesliga five clubs in the expanded competition. Dortmund will undoubtedly place at least fifth.
Dortmund got off to a busier start and kept up the intensity throughout the match, supported by the majority of the 81,365 spectators in attendance, including the renowned “yellow wall” behind one of the goals. Nearly 10 more kilometers were covered by the home team than by the visitors, at 119.7.
Lucas Hernandez, the defender, was hurt while attempting to prevent Fullkrug from scoring. Hernandez appeared to have sustained damage to his left leg.
Early in the second half, PSG exerted the most pressure as Mbappe struck the right post and Achraf Hakimi struck the left.
Dortmund withstood the strain as Gregor Kobel stopped Mbappe’s subsequent attempt.
Fullkrug continued to squander more excellent opportunities for the German team, and in the closing moments, Marquinhos produced an important stop to keep Julian Brandt out.
Veteran Mats Hummels of Dortmund stated, “It would have been nice if we could have made our counterattacks count to get a second goal at the end.” “But we need to get through in Paris now.” The guests also passed up opportunities.
On his return to Dortmund, Ousmane Dembele missed a late chance to score, and Vitinha missed a shot that went just wide of the left post.
PSG coach Luis Enrique remarked, “We tried to keep the ball from them but it’s so difficult because they have a lot of quality.” Both with and without the ball, they make an excellent team. They performed admirably today in both game facets in that setting. I believe that the first half may have been lacking in energy, but the second half saw us produce several very clear opportunities. But we were unable to score.
Edin Terzic, the coach of Dortmund, made his first change in the 83rd minute, substituting veteran Marco Reus for the worn-out Karim Adeyemi.
The two-leg match winner will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the June 1 final in London. In their semifinal first leg in Munich on Tuesday, the longtime rivals drew 2-2.
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Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho stated
“We still have to go to Paris in hopes of finishing the job there, so it’s not over. I approach each game as it comes, and I hope to see more performances like this one.
“I got here when I was seventeen, and they allowed me to play football. I’m grateful to all the players and staff who gave me a warm welcome back. Here, I always give it my all.
Regarding the possibility that he would remain at Dortmund indefinitely, he said, “I really don’t know; I’m just focused on the here and now.”
PSG Manager Luis Enrique
“We have nothing left to lose at this point. We would have won regardless of the outcome. The two teams have experienced an amazing atmosphere, and our audience in Paris will be rooting for us.
“Pressing was our aim. We have made an effort to stop their long balls and defend ourselves on their right side. They are an exceptionally efficient crew. We attacked with a little less vigor in the first half, but the second half was completely different.”
Borussia Dortmund Head Coach Edin Terzic
“It was a well-deserved win, a good team performance. “Both of them and we could have scored more goals. I think the outcome is acceptable because of this. We ran a lot, which is a crucial part of this kind of game. To get to Wembley, you have to earn it.
“We want to win next week, but right now we just need a draw in the second leg. We have a decent opportunity and a tiny lead.”
