Dortmund-PSG was not exactly the most renowned Champions League semi-final. Fortunately, Signal Iduna Park was more than expected. Hundreds of identical yellow-black flags The Gelbe Wall. A UEFA reporter who has been coming to Dortmund for years said beforehand that he had never experienced this atmosphere. It’s saying something – in a stadium already known for its loud fans.
With tens of thousands of jumping Germans at their back, it was exactly the type of match Dortmund was looking for. Packed with intensity, with loss of ball after loss of ball. Pumping. Karim Adeyemi was once a agile centre-forward, but now sprints as a left winger to unceremoniously sweep PSG midfielders off their feet.
The kind of circumstances where a striker like Niclas Füllkrug is at his best. The attacker is not the fastest, certainly not the best technically, and looks a bit clumsy. Two years ago he played with Werder Bremen in the German second division. His nickname is ‘Lücke’, after the gap between his teeth. But when he saw an opportunity to avoid the offside trap on the stroke of half-time, he stepped in just in time. Take right, shoot left. Just loud. Bang, 1-0. Lucas Hernandez, who had dared to try to put a leg in the way, was simply knocked over and had to be replaced injured. The Parisian prima donnas didn’t know where they got it.
For a moment, Füllkrug’s better-known position mate showed himself. Kylian Mbappé decided on the post, in the same action Achraf Hakimi hit the post again. Then it was back to the buffalo from Hannover. Füllkrug tipped a cross just over and could/should have been awarded a penalty when Nuno Mendes knocked him off balance. Unfortunately – in the battle between Beauty and the Beast, ref Taylor chose the former.
It will be happening in Paris next week. Too bad the Signal Iduna Park is not allowed.
- Dortmund beats PSG by the smallest margin
- Füllkrug exploded the Signal Iduna Park
- PSG hit the post twice through Mbappé and Hakimi
Dortmund beats PSG!Dortmund defeated PSG 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. A goal from Füllkrug in the first half proved enough for the victory. The second leg is scheduled for next week in Paris, where both teams will compete for a place in the final.
PSG can’t find an openingThe Parisians continue to look for the equalizer, but their courage is gradually sinking. Mbappé cannot control a cross, Kobel clamps the ball and remains on the turf for a few seconds.
The goal scorer is allowed to leave. In his place comes the young Moukoko.
Extra timeWe still have 4 minutes of injury time. Can PSG avert defeat?
Header RuizAnother heading opportunity for the Spaniard. This one was a little more difficult than the one before, but the result is the same.
Cramps at RyersonHe has also given a lot and seems to be at his best. A change is necessary.
Double chance DortmundJust when you think PSG will equalize, Dortmund is there again. Brandt is wonderfully released in the box, but afterwards his shot is blocked in extremis by a tackling Marquinhos. The danger is not over yet, because a cross finds Reus’s head, but the substitute cannot nod in.
The young German gave a lot in this match and can rest. With Reus, Terzic adds some experience to the battle to get the victory over the line.
Vitinha decides wideNew opportunity for visitors. Vitinha takes aim, but cannot get the leather between the posts.
Dembélé fires over!PSG’s patience finally seems to be rewarded when Hakimi plucks the ball out of the air in the box and then lays it ready for Dembélé. The Frenchman shoots in one go, but hits hard with the right. He can hardly believe it himself.
PSG is lookingThe visitors patiently look for the equalizer. At this stage of the match, Dortmund are crawling back a bit, looking for an opportunity to counter.
The game is paused for a while for care. Mendes has received a strong blow from Schlotterbeck and the latter ends up on a yellow card.
Chance for PSG!The break didn’t last very long, because there’s PSG again. After a subtle tap from Mbappé, Dembélé has a great opportunity from close range, but Kobel storms out of his goal and narrows his corner well.
Pause in the matchNot that the pace is slowing in this match, because both teams are going all out, but it has been a while since we had a good opportunity.
Watch: PSG hits the post twice
