Dortmund narrowly wins the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against PSG

Dortmund narrowly wins the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against PSG

Borussia Dortmund and PSG meet in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The two teams fumbled in the first ten minutes without creating any dangerous chances. In the 11th minute, Dembele had the first opportunity to score against his former team, but his shot went wide.

After three minutes, Dortmund had a great chance to score, but Donnarumma was able to close the angle and block Sabitzer. In the 17th minute, the same Dembele sent another shot, but it too went past the goal defended by Gregor Kobel.

The opener came in the 35th minute. Fullkrug was released deep, made a perfect stop and then beat Donnarumma with a powerful shot. It was a double blow for PSG as Lucas Hernandez was also injured at this stage and was eventually replaced by Beraldo.

Dortmund could have doubled their advantage in the 44th minute, but Sabitzer’s volley, from about ten meters, was rejected by Donnarumma.

In the second half, PSG came out of the locker room much more determined and managed to create their first big scoring chances. In the 51st minute, Mbappe sent a shot to the long corner, but the ball hit the sidebar. The French recovered quickly and Hakimi again sent towards the goal of the Swiss Kobel, but the ball hit the other post of the goal.

After just three minutes, Mbappe had another opportunity to score. The forward shot powerfully from the corner, but Kobel managed to save. In the 56th minute, Fabian Ruiz makes a perfect move behind Dortmund’s defenders, but heads over the goal from just six meters away.

In the 60th minute, Fullkrug was served ideally at eight meters, but the striker’s volley recovery left much to be desired, the ball going over the goal.

PSG had another good chance to equalize in the 72nd minute. Mbappe passed to Dembele, who took a weak shot towards goal and Kovel managed to parry again. PSG’s entire squad failed to find the goal space even in the 80th minute, when he shot over from about 13 meters.

Despite second-half pressure from PSG, Dortmund held on and managed to secure an important victory in the battle to qualify for the Champions League final. The team that will qualify for the final will be decided next week, in the return leg from Paris.

The two teams have also met this season in the groups, with PSG managing to win at home 2-0, while the match in Germany ended in a 1-1 draw.