Battle Royale: PSG Takes on Dortmund in UEFA Showdown

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• May 6, 2024 • 13 days ago

in summary

PSG hope to recreate the amazing comeback against Barcelona on Dortmund as they prepare to face them for the second leg of the champions league semi final on home soil.

With a place in the Champions League final on the line, Dortmund go to the Parc des Princes to face PSG for the semi final second leg. Dortmund will be hoping to reach the final for the first time since 2013 while PSG will be hoping to also make their first appearance since 2020. Dortmund will take a 1-0 advantage into the second leg after their fantastic performance at Westfalenstadion. However,with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele leading the way, PSG will fancy their chances of pulling off a repeat of their quarterfinal against Barcelona.

Goal — Niclas Füllkrug scoring a goal against PSG in the semi final first leg.

After the forward line of PSG were humbled by the Dortmund defence in the first leg, PSG fans will hope for their strikers to show up this time round. Luis Enrique's PSG were scoring goals for fun before they failed to find a way past Gregor Kobel.

Mbappe and some of his team mates were given a week off from Ligue 1 action in order for them to rest and get ready for the match. However, Dortmund also rested a number of key players on Saturday, but still managed to claim a 5-1 win over FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

Malen (Dortmund) attempting to score against FC Augsburg.

After suffering an ACL tear in the first leg, PSG defender Lucas Hernandez will not be available for the match. Talented centre-back Lucas Beraldo will likely come into the starting XI. PSG may also be without Layvin Kurzawa, Presnel Kimpembe and Sergio Rico. Either Randal Kolo Muani or Goncalo Ramos may be given a chance to start in this match as PSG hope to over turn their one goal deficit.

Treatment — Lucas Hernandez receiving treatment during the first leg match.

There are unlikely going to be any changes in the Dortmund squad that played against PSG in the first leg. However, players like Abdoulaye Kamara, Julian Ryerson, Julien Duranville, Ramy Bensebaini and Samuel Bamba may not be available for selection. Sebastien Haller will hope to recover from his injury in time to start on the bench. Jadon Sancho who pulled off an excellent performance in the first leg will be expected to play a crucial role once again in the second leg.

Marco Reus will also play a big role with the club captain set to retire at the end of the season after spending 12 years at the club. He will hope to retire after securing the Champions League trophy in his last season.