“History does not repeat itself, only sometimes it rhymes,” we heard our editor-in-chief in Het Punt Van Van Impe refer to a statement by Mark Twain last week. Good podcast, but we had (even) better things to do on Tuesday evening. Paris Saint-Germain had to overcome a 1-0 deficit in the first leg against Borussia Dortmund. The Parc des Princes – adorned by an impressive tifo before kick-off – was looking forward to it and was seething like never before.
PSG itself swirled less. Still in the first half. The home team failed to create any danger before halftime. PSG did not get further than (half) chances for Ramos and Dembélé and a long shot from Vitinha. On the left flank, Mbappé, the only survivor of the Holy Trinity with Messi and Neymar, was a shadow of his former self.
Dortmund fought back bravely. And the best opportunity in the first half came ten minutes before half-time for the visitors. With a good counter opportunity, Adeyemi sprinted across half the field with the ball at his feet. A nice save from Donnarumma was needed to keep Dortmund from 0-1. The park was already a lot quieter.
Six times on the target wood
With an abundance of pyrotechnic material, the home fans tried to light the fuse again at the start of the second half. Almost successfully. In the first two minutes after the break, PSG came close to 1-0 twice. Ryerson’s first opportunity was only just pushed into a corner. On the corner kick that followed, Zaire-Emery hit the post.
Less than two minutes later, the Parisians were defeated, as the visitors were rewarded with an avoidable corner kick. Brandt found the completely free-standing Hummels at the far post, who was able to head in. The 250th Champions League goal in Dortmund’s history. At what point. PSG now needed to score at least twice. Wembley was suddenly very far from Paris.
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We’d be lying if we said PSG didn’t have any more chances to equalize after that. Ramos decided to go too wild after a good move by Vitinha. With Nuno Mendes, another Portuguese hit the post again with a shot from outside the box. In the last five minutes of regular playing time, Mbappé and Vitinha also hit the crossbar. In total, PSG hit the target six times over two matches. It took blood, sweat and tears, but the Gelbe Wand stood firm and Dortmund survived the Parisian final offensive.
The Germans thus qualify for the final battle of the Champions League for the first time since 2013. With thanks to Mats Hummels, who, like the retiring Marco Reus, was also there eleven years ago. Just like then, the final will be played at Wembley. And just like then, Bayern Munich can become the opponent. In 2013 it became 1-2 for the archrival. It’s up to Dortmund to prove that history can rhyme, but that doesn’t mean it has to repeat itself.
- Dortmund won the first leg 1-0.
- Hummels scores from a corner just after halftime
- PSG gets a lot of chances, but the goal post is in the way
The fairy tale has become reality for Die Borussen. Hummels sealed the victory with a goal from a corner kick. Luck was not on the side of PSG, who hit the goal frame four times. Mbappé was a shadow of himself in what was most likely his farewell match for PSG in the Champions League. Borussia Dortmund can prepare for the final in Wembley on June 1 against Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.
Towards the corner flag
Schlotterbeck wants to make PSG completely ridiculous. The German defender pushes forward towards the corner flag to buy time, but the party is canceled. Hakimi steals the ball from him.
4′ extra
Four minutes of added time are added. Can PSG still turn this scenario around?
It is not possible!
PSG is now stringing together chances, but they just can’t seem to score. First Mbappé aims for the crossbar, less than two minutes later Vitinha repeats the trick after a wonderful kick. It is already the sixth attempt that explodes on the goal post for PSG this evening.
Hakimi is also fined. The Moroccan gives Schlotterbeck a firm push out of frustration.
Marquinhos in front
Kobel is currently standing in a shooting booth of blanks. PSG pulls the trigger from all angles, with varying degrees of success. This time Marquinhos heads wide from a free kick.
There’s Mbappe
We immediately get what we asked for. Mbappé runs deep and lashes out. Kobel is a good rescuer. PSG pushes Dortmund back.
Waiting for a brilliant idea
Where is Kylian Mbappe? The French superstar is having a mediocre match and cannot lead his team for the time being.
Soon there was Mats Hummels again. Brandt delivers another prime corner, this time towards Füllkrug. The German striker serves Hummels, who pushes the ball in again. Hummels was clearly offside.
Ousmane Dembélé continues firmly on Schlotterbeck. The French vine goes in Orsato’s book.
Weak free kick
Asensio misses this excellent opportunity and aims into the wall.
Free kick in a perfect position
Hummels escapes unscathed. The man who scored the goal hits it too hard, twenty centimeters before the penalty box. No penalty, but a free kick in a life-threatening position.
