Dortmund vs. PSG. This is a serious Champions League fixture. As the first leg of this thrilling encounter draws near, anticipation is building, fueled by the narratives of two clubs determined to make their mark on footballing history.
For Paris Saint-Germain, the quest for continental supremacy has been a journey fraught with near misses and heartbreaks. Despite their relentless dominance on the domestic front, the allure of Champions League glory has remained tantalizingly elusive. Yet, buoyed by their commanding form in Ligue 1, PSG arrives at this juncture with renewed determination, propelled by the blistering talent of Kylian Mbappé, whose sights are firmly set on leading his side to the summit of European football.
While Dortmund’s Bundesliga campaign may have faltered by their lofty standards, the echoes of their past glories resonate loudly, none more so than their memorable run to the 2013 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley, where the final is being held this year. Eager to recapture that magic and reignite the flame of European success, Dortmund enters this showdown with a deep desire to reclaim their place among the continent’s elite.
The stage is set for a captivating reunion between two sides who once shared the same crucible of group-stage battles. Despite early doubts lingering over their European aspirations, both Dortmund and PSG have defied the odds to emerge triumphant, setting the stage for a showdown of epic proportions. As memories of their last encounter in Dortmund linger—a tightly contested 1-1 draw—the stage is set for another enthralling chapter in their storied rivalry.
In the cauldron of the Signal Iduna Park, where passion knows no bounds and dreams take flight, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain are poised to script another chapter of Champions League drama. With the eyes of the footballing world fixed upon them, the stage is set for a spectacle befitting of the grandest stage in European football.
Dortmund vs. PSG – Team News
Despite Mats Hummels being taken off on the weekend for injury, he’s expected to be fit for this massive Dortmund vs. PSG clash. Emre Can and Ian Maatsen may also both return after their domestic suspensions. Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer had been battling illness but he’s now set to return to the starting line-up.
PSG’s Prince Mbappé was left on the bench on the weekend as a precaution ahead of this tie. PSG drew 3-3 with 15th-place Le Havre, highlighting the importance of the French striker. Seasoned center-back Presnel Kimpembe recently started training individually at the Camp des Loges after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, though this match will still come far too soon for the defender.
Key Players:
Borussia Dortmund: Mats Hummels
Cool heads and experience are needed in a super high-stakes game such as this one. Hummels is the man who possesses that. Renowned for his astute reading of the game, commanding presence, and ability to marshal the backline with authority, Hummels embodies Dortmund’s defensive resilience. In a match where every defensive intervention could prove decisive, especially when Mbappé is on the other side, his experience, composure under pressure, and knack for timely interceptions will be crucial in thwarting PSG’s formidable attacking threats and laying the foundation for Dortmund’s aspirations of advancing to the final.
PSG: Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé lives for big games such as Dortmund vs. PSG. It’s what he does. With his electrifying pace, exquisite dribbling skills, and clinical finishing, the Champions League top scorer this season possesses the capacity to single-handedly turn the tide of any match in PSG’s favor, as he did at the Nou Camp against Barcelona in the quarter-finals. As the focal point of their attacking arsenal, his ability to unlock Dortmund’s defense with his incisive runs and lethal instincts in front of goal will be pivotal in determining PSG’s fortunes in this crucial first leg. Mbappé’s relentless pursuit of Champions League success fuels his determination to propel PSG to victory, making him a formidable force to contend with for Dortmund’s defenders.
Dortmund vs. PSG – Statistics
- Dortmund vs. PSG is a fixture that has taken place four times in recent years, with PSG winning two and Dortmund winning one. In 2020, PSG prevailed in the UCL Round of 16 despite Erling Haaland’s best efforts for Dortmund. Then, the two sides were in the same group this season, with PSG winning one and the other match ending in a draw.
- Kylian Mbappé is the Champions League’s top scorer this season, with eight goals.
- PSG didn’t win any of their matches away from home in the group stage (including at Dortmund), but have won 2/2 away from home in the knockout stages
Borussia Dortmund are the narrow favourites, priced at 29/20 on bet365. PSG are the marginal underdogs, priced at 17/10.
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyH3lfgott on Twitter
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