by Paolo Tomaselli
In the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain was beaten by a goal from Fullkrug. Mbappé-Hakimi double post
You expect Mbappé but instead Fullkrug is the protagonist of Borussia-Psg: the 31-year-old German center forward who played in Serie B until he was 28 decided the first leg match against the French with a left-footed shot in the first half that mocked Donnarumma.
After Tuesday’s 2-2 draw in Munich between Bayern and Real Madrid, the other semi-final – although less spectacular – also does not disappoint expectations and leaves the prediction for the return leg open (Tuesday 7 Psg-Borussia on Sky and Canale 5 , Wednesday 8 Real-Bayern on Amazon Prime).
Luis Enrique’s team will still need a different performance to overturn the result, because beyond the sensational double post by Mbappé and Hakimi at the start of the second half and the final forcing, Borussia seemed more brilliant, even physically: Terzic made the first changes even after 82 minutes and his team, considered the surprise of this edition, demonstrated that they can compete on equal terms with the French. And to be able to dream of the Wembley final on June 1st.
Borussia started off strong straight away, wanting to take advantage of the evening in front of their fans, who were very hot also due to the anomalous temperature at kick-off, around 25 degrees. After 13′ minutes Donnarumma immediately had to block Sabitzer’s exit, managing to block him. The Germans defend very well, taking away all the vital space from Mbappé who is never able to attack in depth.
Hakimi on the right is limited by Adeyemi’s super performance, while the former Dembele is not the same as seen against Barcelona in the quarterfinals. In the 36th minute Terzic’s team took the lead: Fullkrug started on the edge of offside and with perfect control of the ball flew towards the area, Lucas Hernandez, brother of AC Milan player Theo, was unable to close (and was injured) while Donnarumma he is caught at his own post by the German’s powerful low shot. The dangers of the first half for the Italian goalkeeper are not over: he serves an instinctive clearance to block a sharp turn from Sabitzer.
In the second half it seems like another PSG and also another Mbappé: in the 6th minute the French star who will go to Real Madrid at the end of the season he hits the post with a curling shot: as the action develops, Hakimi also hits the inside post with an equally unfortunate low shot. Borussia struggled to restart with the same speed but reacted: in the 15th minute Fullkrug, served by Sancho, kicked the inviting ball high for the second goal and shortly after hit the header high again.
Luis Enrique inserts Kolo Muani up front (in place of Barcola) to try to respond to the speed of the yellow and blacks. Just before the half hour Kobel saves with his foot from Dembele, served by a delightful spoon assist from Mbappé. Dembelé again shoots a delicious ball high from the spot. Borussia resists, PSG doesn’t break through the yellow wall. But in Paris it could be a different story.
May 1, 2024 (changed May 1, 2024 | 11:05 pm)
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