Borussia Dortmund travel to Paris Saint-Germain with a one-goal lead to protect in their Champions League semi-final tie.
With a place in club football’s biggest game at stake, it promises to be a huge night of Champions League action in Paris.
Here is everything you need to know about the clash.
Form
PSG:WWWDL
Paris Saint-Germain have had a full week to prepare for the return leg with Ligue 1 having taken steps to help French sides in Europe with postponed domestic games. The club’s clash with Nice was postponed to allow for additional freshness, as PSG look to overturn a first-leg defeat for the second successive round.
No team has ever reached the Champions League final after losing the first leg of their quarter-final and semi-final ties, with Luis Enrique’s team targeting unprecedented history as the club look to reach a second decider in this competition. After a flat performance in their last Champions League final, a behind-closed-doors defeat to Bayern Munich during the Covid-19 pandemic, PSG will be desperate to reach the occasion once again.
???? @marquinhos_m5: “We know the significance of playing in front of our supporters at home. They can change a match with their songs and energy.” ✊????????#PSGBVB pic.twitter.com/U18F7M3wXF
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 6, 2024
Kylian Mbappe will be crucial, as ever, and has 43 goals for the season in all competitions. Only once before has the French forward failed to score in a two-legged Champions League tie in which he has started both fixtures.
A decision will be made on who replaces Lucas Hernandez in central defence after the France international’s season was ended by an ACL injury.
Borussia Dortmund: WDLWW
Borussia Dortmund have struggled for consistency this season but will enter the second leg with confidence. After Niclas Füllkrug’s goal handed Dortmund a lead in the first meeting, Edin Terzić’s side warmed up for their trip to Paris by thrashing Augsburg 5-1 in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund handed rests to several senior stars with Füllkrug, Emre Can and Jadon Sancho all unused substitutes, and the latter will hope to build on a sparkling performance in the first leg, in which he gave Nuno Mendes a torrid time.
#BelieveinBVB pic.twitter.com/naeSrj5Xn6
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 6, 2024
Marco Reus scored at the weekend and the Dortmund captain will hope to make an impact at the Parc des Princes. The 34-year-old club great has announced he will leave the Westfalenstadion after 12 years and 169 goals in the summer, with the Champions League providing a date with destiny. He, alongside teammate Mats Hummels, formed part of the last Dortmund side to reach the Champions League final in 2013.
Last Meeting
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG, Champions League semi-final, 01/05/2024
Dortmund took control of the semi-final tie with a 1-0 win in front of a raucous home crowd. Niclas Füllkrug’s brilliant goal opened the scoring in the first half as the Germany international expertly brought down a long ball before sliding home a finish.
PSG improved after the break and had chances to get back into the game, with both Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi hitting the woodwork. The French side’s 14 shots on goal without scoring were their most in a Champions League game for three years.
NICLAS FULLKRUG!
A classic number nine goal gives Dortmund the lead ????????#UCL | ???? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/McDgHgBENA
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2024
Predicted Lineups
PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Ruiz; Dembele, Barcola, Mbappe.
Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Can, Sabitzer, Brandt; Sancho, Adeyemi, Füllkrug.
Who is the referee?
Daniele Orsato (Italy).
What channel is PSG v Dortmund on?
UK and Ireland – TNT Sports 1.
What time is kick off?
20:00 BST, May 7th 2024.
Odds
PSG – 9/20
Draw – 4/1
Dortmund – 5/1
Read – Four talking points ahead of the Champions League semi-finals
See more – Premier League weekend: Five things we learned
