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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.
Borussia Dortmund emerge with the advantage but PSG tie still in flux after night of missed chances
Might the story of the season suddenly be happening out of nowhere, like another sublime Jadon Sancho run? Nobody has given Borussia Dortmund a chance in these Champions League semi-finals but, in part because Paris Saint-Germain couldn’t take any massive chances of their own, the German club at least have one foot in Wembley.
That came from the one goal in this tie, that was itself struck by another unfashionable figure in Niclas Fullkrug, but it could have been so many more.
It was a 1-0 win for Borussia Dortmund that could have been a 7-6 either way. If PSG are to face disappointment in this competition once again, the Qatari project will look to this tie and wonder how they missed so many opportunities. Then again, they should also wonder how they gave up so many.
FT Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG
Rio Ferdinand on Jadon Sancho: “Jadon Sancho was making people dance and we have not seen that since he was last at Dortmund.
“Sancho isn’t just a dribbler or someone who runs past people with pace. He wants to come in and play one-twos and be in the game. The frustration at Man Utd is why is he not doing that? Is it the physicality of the Premier League?
“The way he played in this Champions League semi-final you cannot devalue that.”
FT Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG
Niclas Fullkrug never played in the Champions League until this season, but the 31-year-old striker has made quite the impact.
The Borussia Dortmund forward has been directly involved in six Champions League goals this season – three goals and three assists.
Only one other German player has managed as many in their their debut campaign – his team-mate Marco Reus, who was also involved in six goals in 2012-13 for BVB.
FT Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG
More from Hummels speaking about Niclas Fullkrug’s winner: “If you opponent tries to press you and play with a high line you have to try to come in behind.
“It was a great ball from Nico Schlotterbeck and a great run from Niclas Fullkrug. We had a few other chances like this, Karim Adeyemi tried to go there, but didn’t get the outcome. It is always a danger and creates chances for us.
“It is 90-minutes to the final and we know we want to get there. We put our heart onto the pitch to achieve this and we are one little step closer but, we are not over the finish line yet.”
FT Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, speaking to TNT Sports: “It was intense but it was a lot of fun to play in this stadium with the fans behind us. The team gave it all, 100%, and we worked well together.
“We didn’t play perfect so it is good to see we don’t play perfect and still can get such a good result against a very good team. All round we can be very happy.
“We know how hard it is for opponents to beat us here. If you come to Dortmund you know how hard it is. the problem is we still have to go to Paris, we know how hard it is to to go there.
“I don’t think I’ve ever won there. But we can look forward to a great game on Tuesday.”
FT Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG
Jadon Sancho completed 12 dribbles for Dortmund tonight. That’s the most by a player in a Champions League semi-final since…. Lionel Messi in 2008.
It is the most by an Englishman in the competition since 2003-04.
Full-time! Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG
90+4 mins: The whistle goes to end this semi-final first leg in Dortmund. It’s the home side that take the spoils but their lead isn’t huge and they’ll still have a battle on their hands in Paris.
Another Champions League semi-final tie set up nicely.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG
90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG
87 mins: Felix Nmecha replaces Julian Brandt and Marius Wolf comes on in place of Julian Ryerson for Borussia Dortmund as they look to see out this game.
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG
84 mins: Close. PSG bring the ball down the right wing and square a pass into box. Kylian Mbappe gets on the end of it and then flicks it on but a shot from Muani is blocked and cleared.
Source: independent.co.uk
