Borussia Dortmund celebrate 1-0 victory in first leg

Boris Rupert reporting

The 77,000 BVB fans among the 81,365 spectators decked out SIGNAL IDUNA PARK entirely in yellow, made for a red-hot atmosphere and celebrated Niclas Füllkrug's deserved opener to make it 1-0 in the 36th minute. PSG pressed for an equaliser after the interval, twice striking the upright, but Borussia also had two more good opportunities through Füllkrug and Brandt.

The scenario:  
The group winners (BVB) and runners-up (PSG) were going head-to-head again in the semi-finals. It is the ninth time in the club's history that Borussia have reached the final four of a European competition. The previous meetings with the Parisians had produced one victory, three draws and two defeats, including a 2-0 loss on the road and a 1-1 draw on home turf this season. The record against French opponents in knockout matches is positive: BVB have reached the next round on four occasions and been eliminated twice.

Personnel matters:   
Having missed the league game in Leipzig, Maatsen and Can returned from suspension and Sabitzer from illness (infection) to the starting XI. Wolf, Özcan and Nmecha dropped to the bench, where they were joined by the returning Malen and Haller.

Tactics:   
Both teams took to the field in a 4-3-3 formation but interpreted it differently. For the visitors, right-back Hakimi pushed so high up the pitch in possession of the ball that he was level with the three forwards, turning a 4-3-3 system into a 3-3-4. In the BVB ranks, meanwhile, left-back Maatsen advanced into central midfield several times during build-up play. Ryerson had a lot of freedom down the right, which the full-back used to push up on numerous occasions.

The match & analysis:
Borussia put their foot on the gas pedal from the beginning, pressed high (through Sabitzer and Füllkrug up top), turned over possession high up the pitch and thus stressed an opponent that had only two brief phases of dominance in the first quarter of an hour. And so it was the Black & Yellows who registered the first chance in a match that was contested with great intensity by both teams. Sabitzer received Brandt's pass and shot from the right of the six-yard box but the angle was so tight that Donnarumma could make the save (14).

Amid the summer temperatures, both teams allowed themselves a short breather midway through the first half. Paris often had the ball in this phase but predominantly in their own half. When the visitors went forward, they were met by a resolute defence that received support from across the board, especially from Adeyemi, whose defensive actions on the edge of his own penalty area were celebrated not only by the fans but by his team-mates too.

Then it was BVB's turn again: Brandt's powerful strike was blocked with difficulty (30). The opening goal started from the defence. Schlotterbeck played a long through-ball from the left side towards Füllkrug and the striker brought it down mid-run with his right foot before firing left footed – with Hernandez in pursuit – inside the near post from 14 metres out (36). And the Black & Yellows could have even upped the lead to 2-0. Sabitzer struck Füllkrug's ball with full power in the box but Donnarumma made the save (44).

The half-time lead was deserved because BVB were more decisive in attack. Four of Dortmund's five shots at Donnarumma's goal were on target, while all four attempts from the Parisians went wide of the BVB goal. PSG seized the initiative after the restart and struck the post twice through Mbappé and Hakimi in one passage of play (51). There was also a huge stroke of luck four minutes later when the unmarked Fabian headed wide. The chance ratio was now even (3-3).

The Black & Yellows faltered but fought back, calming and controlling proceedings once again and creating a big opportunity themselves to take a 2-0 lead. But Füllkrug leaned back as he met Sancho's cutback from the byline and fired over the target from eight metres out (60). He was clearly pushed on the right of the six-yard box three minutes later but a penalty was not awarded.

The game was at least now back on track – apart from a hearts in mouths moment that was dealt with by Maatsen (72). BVB set the tone themselves, which also earned the respect of their opponents, who did not want to leave themselves too exposed. PSG remained dangerous but continued to spurn high-quality chances when Dembele fired Hakimi's pass over the bar (80). At the other end, Marquinhos thwarted Brandt and a second possible goal for Dortmund when he made a sliding intervention on the edge of the six-yard box (84).

Outlook: 
The return fixture will take place in Paris at 21:00 CEST next Tuesday. Beforehand, BVB will go up against FC Augsburg at home in the Bundesliga (Saturday, 15:30 CEST).

Teams & goals

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final First Leg
BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-0 (1-0) PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Bor. Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson (Wolf, 87), Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen – Can – Sabitzer, Brandt (Nmecha, 87) – Sancho, Füllkrug (Moukoko, 90+1), Adeyemi (Reus, 82)
Paris St. Germain: Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos (Beraldo, 42), Hernandez, Nuno Mendes – Vitinha – Zaire-Emery, Fabian – Dembelé, Mbappé, Barcola (Kolo Muani, 65)
Substitutes: Meyer, Lotka; Süle, Haller, Bynoe-Gittens, Özcan, Wätjen, Malen – Navas, Tenas; Pereira, Mukiele, Skriniar, Carlos Soler, Lee, Ugarte, Asensio, Ramos
Goals: 1-0 Füllkrug (Schlotterbeck, 36)
Corners: 4-3 (1-0 at half-time), chance ratio: 5-6 (3-0)
Referee: Taylor (England), yellow cards: Maatsen, Schlotterbeck – Fabian
Attendance: 81,365 (sold-out), weather: dry, 23 degrees