Borussia Dortmund vs PSG LIVE: Champions League semi-final result and reaction as Fullkrug scores winner
Dortmund 1-0 PSG: Niclas Fullkrug’s first half strike was the difference at the Signal Iduna Park
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Borussia Dortmund took a step closer to the Champions League final after defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 at the Signal Iduna Park in their semi-final first leg.
The hosts controlled the match from kick off and were made to work with Jadon Sancho in particular a fierce threat on the right hand side.
It was a simple over the top pass from Nico Schlotterbeck that brought the goal. Niclas Fullkrug nipping in behind and slotting past Gianluigi Donnarumma for the opener.
PSG started the second half in blistering fashion with Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi both hitting the post but theyr were unable to draw level and will trail by one goal when the tie continues in Paris next week.
Relive the updates from the Champions League semi-final first leg, below, and get the latest Borussia Dortmund vs PSG predictions and odds here.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
Dortmund are unbeaten when facing Paris on home turf, drawing two of the three such encounters across all competitions to date.
Terzic names same team
Borussia Dortmund’s line-up is as expected, Edin Terzić naming the same starting XI that triumphed in a dramatic turnaround in the second leg of the quarter-final against Atlético de Madrid.
There are plenty of attacking options on the home side’s bench to choose from, namely Malen, Haller, Bynoe-Gittens and Reus.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
PSG are set for their fourth semi-final appearance in the Champions League, and first since the 2020/21 campaign.
Skipper Marquinhos gave PSG a 15th-minute first-leg lead against Man City, but the Premier League outfit would go on to triumph 4-1 on aggregate.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG line-ups
Borussia Dortmund XI: Kobel; Ryerson, Schlotterbeck, Hummels, Maatsen; Adeyemi, Brandt, Sabitzer, Emre Can, Sancho; Fullkrug.
PSG XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Lucas Hernandez, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Dembele, Mbappe Barcola.
Here’s a bit more from Jadon Sancho:
“It’s always nice to come back and have the feeling of people, especially 80,000 people, screaming your name. It’s kind of hard to believe.
“I’ve been there before and it’s a nice feeling. It just gives you a lot of confidence going into the game, and having that support behind you is always a nice feeling for a player.”
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
PSG manager Luis Enrique said his side were "here to enjoy it" when they face Dortmund, who won the Champions League in 1997 and are fifth in the German Bundesliga.
"What’s great about being here is that we can enjoy a really special game at a unique stadium in Europe," said the Spaniard.
"We have a chance to make our fans really happy by reaching the final. That’s what we’ve earned the right to do. We’ll try to enjoy that."
Luis Enrique thinks PSG are peaking at right time for Champions League glory
Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique believes the timing is perfect for their Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund.
Enrique’s side have travelled to Germany for Wednesday’s first leg having been crowned as French champions at the weekend, and with a place in the Coupe de France final against Lyon booked.
The Champions League remains the missing piece for the capital club, and this could be their best chance of securing it before Kylian Mbappe moves on in the summer.
Luis Enrique thinks PSG are peaking at right time for Champions League glory
The French champions are hunting a treble.
Jadon Sancho on returning to Dortmund in January:
“Dortmund’s always a special place for me. This is where I built my name and obviously Dortmund gave me the platform to express myself, so it was a very nice feeling coming back here.
“I’ve always had a good relationship with the club, even when I left. I always followed the club and its position.”
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
Dortmund are ready for another Champions League night in front of the Yellow Wall:
PSG were ‘made to win Champions League’ says Terzic
Paris Saint-Germain were "built to win the Champions League" says Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic. His team meet the French champions in the first leg of the semi-finals on Wednesday.
The French side, who beat Barcelona in the quarter-finals, lost to Bayern Munich in the 2020 final.
"The project in Paris began with the goal of winning the Champions League," said Terzic. "That’s been their main objective for a decade.
"Maybe we’re the team with less experience, but we may have the greatest hunger.
"When everyone digs in, not just those on the field and on the bench but everyone in the stadium, we’ve got a huge opportunity - and we need to take it."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments