In the semi-final first leg of the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund achieved a top starting position against Paris St. Germain with great passion and a bit of luck. After the 1-0 (1-0) on Wednesday (May 1st, 2024) in the Westfalenstadion, BVB can dream of the final on June 1st at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Niclas Füllkrug (36th minute) scored the important goal for the hosts against the team with superstar Kylian Mbappé, who last played in the premier class final against Bayern Munich in 2013. The German record champions drew 2-2 at home against Real Madrid in their semi-final first leg on Tuesday.
To the live ticker: BVB – Paris arrow right semi-final arrow right
“We were very resilient today, very courageous. That was really good. We wanted to have a close game, we managed that. There is no other way for us as Borussia Dortmund to survive,” said BVB coach Edin Terzic. Now it’s time to confirm this performance in the second leg next week.
Mats Hummels, who was named “Man of the Match” by UEFA, classified the BVB game as a “mature and mature performance”.
Dortmund coach Terzic is also clear that it will be difficult: “We know that there will be a different story next week. We felt that today and also in Paris in the group phase. We had to withstand this force in the second half. Today we still had the support of over 80,000 in yellow. Next week we will have to handle this even more on our own.”
Dortmund immediately in the game against PSG
Dortmund – which had disappointed in the 4-1 defeat in Leipzig in the Bundesliga at the weekend – was immediately in the game and, as has often been the case this season, showed its European Cup face. Gripping in the duels, courageously going forward – that’s how BVB approached the game in their home Westfalenstadion. However, the first chance went to PSG. After a good ball relay, Ousmane Dembélé shot from half-right (11th). However, the attempt missed the goal.
The ball didn’t run as smoothly for the hosts as it did for Paris. But BVB made up the difference with passion and straightforwardness. Julian Ryerson and Jadon Sancho in particular kept things going on the right side.
Dortmund’s Sabitzer fails because of Donnarumma
And from there the first good Borussia opportunity developed. Julian Brandt, who was once again very active, passed Marcel Sabitzer into the penalty area after winning the ball from the right. Gianluigi Donnarumma carefully parried his direct shot in the near corner (14th).
Even though PSG had longer periods of possession, Dortmund never let up. Karim Adeyemi worked energetically backwards, including Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi in his own penalty area. “Karim has repaid the trust. He did it exceptionally well, that’s what we hope for,” said BVB coach Edin Terzic.
Füllkrug causes the Westfalenstadion to shake
With the opening goal, Füllkrug boosted BVB’s emotions: at the right moment, the German national striker started in a counter-move into the depths, accepted the ball from Nico Schlotterbeck that had been hit from his own half and uncompromisingly finished from 14 meters down the left to make it 1-0.
Edin Terzic’s team didn’t get too excited after that, but continued to defend consistently and almost rewarded themselves with another goal. Füllkrug passed to Sabitzer in the penalty area. His promising direct pass went exactly to Donnarumma (44th). So it remained 1-0 for Dortmund at the break. PSG didn’t get a shot on Gregor Kobel’s goal. Mbappé, who mostly came through the center, did not take place.
Two posts – Dortmund are lucky
The second half began with the first shot on Kobel’s goal. The BVB goalkeeper had no trouble intercepting Mbappé’s attempt (48th). But it was the start of a strong phase for the guests. A little later, Dortmund were twice as lucky when first Mbappé and then Hakimi hit the post (51′). Paris now built up pressure, had more speed and determination in their offensive actions, and won the ball early.
Mbappè (l.) only hits the post in the game at Borussia Dortmund.
On the sidelines, coach Luis Enrique continued to encourage his team. BVB lost access. Mbappé now moved strongly down the left side and tested Kobel with the next shot (53′). Shortly afterwards, Fabian Ruiz headed just wide from an unmarked shot (55′). Dortmund had to suffer. PSG played well.
Füllkrug awards promising
It wasn’t until the 60th minute that the Black and Yellows made a serious offensive return. Sancho broke through on the right and returned the ball from the baseline to the six-yard box. There Füllkrug didn’t hit the ball properly and shot over the goal, and he also couldn’t head a Maatsen free kick (66′).
BVB gradually freed itself from PSG’s grip and, above all, became more confident and calmer in building up from its own half. But Paris remained dangerous, especially when Mbappé had too much space on the left. Like in the 73rd minute, when the French superstar drew three opponents on the left of the penalty area and then chipped through to Dembélé. Kobel came out quickly and cleared well.
In the final phase, Paris pushed itself further forward. Dembélé had another great chance, but shot a back pass from the baseline from ten meters well over the goal (81′). PSG fought to equalize, but Dortmund – who ended up running ten kilometers more than the visitors – kept the scoreline until the final whistle and ensured another magical Champions League night in the West.
Wochner and Walbrodt, Sportschau, May 1st, 2024 11:32 p.m
BVB victory secures fifth German CL place
After BVB lost 2-0 in Paris in the group stage and then drew 1-1 at home, the black and yellow team managed an important victory this time.
The success also means that the Bundesliga will have five starting places in the Champions League in the 2024/25 season – which plays into BVB’s hand as they are currently fifth in the league. Like champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig, Borussia now has a ticket to the premier class.
First Augsburg, then Paris
For Dortmund, the fight for fourth place in the Bundesliga continues on Saturday (May 4th, 2024) against FC Augsburg in a long-distance duel with RB Leipzig (Friday at 1899 Hoffenheim), before then on Tuesday (9 p.m. in the audio stream and live -Ticker at sportschau.de) the second leg is coming up in Paris.