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
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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.
Dortmund vs PSG
These two clubs meet again following their two outings in Group F earlier this season.
Those contests may have left Dortmund with a feeling of what might have been given they were defeated 2-0 by Paris at the Parc des Princes in the first head to head before drawing 1-1 at home.
They had already qualified before that latter encounter on Matchday 6, when they took the lead in a game in which would have meant elimination for PSG if they lost given AC Milan’s victory at Newcastle.
Letting that goal slip could come back to haunt the German side if PSG manage to best them over two legs in the semi-finals.
The Champions League has gone stale and is past the point of no return
If the Champions League this week left you feeling bored - and that’s if you were even watching in the first place - it wasn’t quite the sentiment being shared within Uefa.
There is excitement at the fact the quarter-finals is now close to having one club from each of its major TV markets: that’s England, Spain, Germany and France, with Italy still able to make it five from five. This, in the words of Uefa insiders, is much more important than actually competitive and compelling ties.
It is a motivation that explains how the competition has gone so stale, as well as how the wider European football landscape has completely stagnated. The Champions League is only becoming as predictable as many domestic leagues. Profit has been prioritised over the health of the game, leading to growing financial disparities that are now beginning to existentially threaten the sport’s lifeblood of unpredictability.
The Champions League has gone stale and is past the point of no return
This week’s dull knockout ties showed the direction elite football has been heading towards for some time, writes Miguel Delaney
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG prediction
This will be the third time that Borussia Dortmund and PSG have faced each other in this season’s Champions League as the teams were drawn in the same group.
The previous fixture in Germany ended in a 1-1 draw after the Parisians had won 2-0 at home. Dortmund have since improved, aided by the return of Jadon Sancho, but a focused and determined PSG may still be too much for them.
Dortmund 1-3 PSG.
Predicted line-ups
Dortmund: Kobel; Wolf, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Can, Sabitzer; Adeyemi, Brandt, Sancho, Fullkrug
PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Hernandez, Nunes; Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Ruiz; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola
What is the team news?
Edin Terzic will be without Sebastian Haller who has missed the last couple of games with an ankle injury, while Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen are both doubts.
Mats Hummels was substituted off in their 4-1 defeat to RB Leipzig at the weekend, but Dortmund hope to have him back for the first leg.
As for PSG, this evening’s game has come too early for long-term absentee Presnel Kimpembe, but they have been boosted by the fact he has returned to individual training.
He is the only player unavailable for Enrique, who rested some of his stars in PSG’s 3-3 draw with Le Havre.
How to watch Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
The match will kick-off at 8:00pm BST on Wednesday 1 May at the Signal Iduna Park, Germany.
It will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via Discovery+. Purchase a TNT Sports subscription via Discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.
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Good afternoon!
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Borussia Dortmund take on Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
Yesterday, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid played out a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena meaning their tie will come down to whoever is triumphant in Spain next week.
Tonight, Dortmund have the chance to put their stamp on this last-four encounter as they play at home against the French champions. They have not reached this stage of the competition since 2012/13 but went on to reach the final that year.
PSG, meanwhile, are still hoping to collect their first European title but know that they will have a difficult task on their hands this evening. Dortmund are wyly competitiors at home and the yellow wall of fans can be intimidating.
We’ll have all the action throughout the afternoon including team news, manager’s thoughts and all the latest updates so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
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