Match report as Borussia Dortmund take a 1-0 lead to Paris in their Champions League semi-final after Niclas Fullkrug’s first-half goal is enough to seal a first-leg victory; Kylian Mbappe, Achraf Hakimi both hit woodwork for PSG while Fullkrug missed big chance to double lead
By Ron Walker, Digital Football Journalist @Ronnabe
Jadon Sancho was the star of the show as Borussia Dortmund edged PSG 1-0 in a pulsating Champions League semi-final first leg through Niclas Fullkrug’s fine winner.
The England winger, cast out at parent club Man Utd, gave Nuno Mendes a torrid time throughout at the Westfalenstadion and could easily have had a hat-trick of assists had his team-mates had their shooting boots on.
Instead, it was only Fullkrug’s first-half thunderbolt which found the back of the net, the Germany striker firing in at the near post after a fine ball over the top from Nico Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund dominated the opening period and deserved their win, but their lead remained only by the narrowest of margins as Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi were denied by either post in the same move, before Fabian Ruiz headed a golden chance wide.
Sancho teed up Fullkrug for a simpler finish than his goal soon after but the striker spooned a simple chance over the bar, before the Man Utd loanee played a fine one-two with Julian Brandt whose poor touch denied him another significant opportunity.
Dortmund will still be up against it in France in six days’ time given the Ligue 1 champions’ quality, but Edin Terzic’s unfancied side have taken another step on their unlikely route to the final – and now know even a draw in Paris would be enough to see them there.
How Dortmund notched deserved first-leg victory
Much of the game at a typically deafening Westfalenstadion was played like a basketball match, with PSG boss Luis Enrique’s prediction of ‘fireworks’ looking likely to come true.
But for the first half, the sparks were only flying towards Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal, with Marcel Sabitzer first denied on the angle after fine build-up from Sancho and Brandt.
Sancho turned provider again for Brandt who had a go himself soon after, with Marquinhos feeling the full force of his shot before Dortmund struck at the third time of asking.
Fullkrug’s perfectly-timed run was found by Schlotterbeck’s brilliant ball in behind and after a fine touch took him away from Lucas Hernandez, a rasping drive was enough to beat Donnarumma at his near post.
The goalkeeper was given more of a chance from another Sabitzer effort before the break, with Fullkrug’s deft lay-off teeing up the midfielder who gave the huge ‘keeper too much opportunity to keep out his effort.
Riath Al-Samarrai and Sam Dean heap praise on Jadon Sancho after his brilliant performance in Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League semi-final and question whether parent club Manchester United will want him back next season
PSG had yet to register a shot on target but finally did so two minutes into the second period as Bradley Barcola curled a 25-yard strike straight at Gregor Kobel, moments before the French giants went even closer.
Mbappe cut in from the left and left Kobel helpless with a curling shot towards the far corner, which rebounded off the post and only just away to safety. Even still, it still only reached Hakimi, whose own effort smacked the base of the goalframe before also squirming away.
The chances kept coming for PSG as Fabian was found by a beautiful deep cross from the right and timed his run to perfection to meet it, but somehow headed well wide of the gaping goal from eight yards.
Brandt was less wasteful as he saw a tricky opportunity flash wide, but Fullkrug had little excuse for joining the profligate party when he blazed over after fine work from Sancho on the flank.
A smart Kobel save denied Ousmane Dembele before Fullkrug lifted a header over the bar, before the former then copied the latter in somehow firing over when well-placed after leaning back too far.
Sancho was again denied a goal involvement as his flowing move with Brandt went to waste as the German was denied by a Marquinhos block, before Fabian added to his growing list of personal misses with another from an inviting Vitinha delivery.
Finally, that was the lot as Dortmund held on for a 1-0 victory which could have seen several more goals – but either way, still gives them a priceless victory to take to Paris for the return leg.
Sancho: It’s not over – but I’m delighted to be back here
Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho told CBS Sports:
“It’s not over, we’ve got to go to Paris and hopefully get the job done there. I take it game by game, and performances like today I hope they can carry on.
“I came here at 17, they gave me the opportunity to play my football. I’m delighted all the players and staff who welcomed me back. I always give my everything here.
On whether he might stay at Dortmund permanently: “I really don’t know, I’m just focused on the present right now.”
Enrique: Result doesn’t change our mentality
PSG manager Luis Enrique:
“We no longer have anything to lose. Regardless of the result, we would have gone to win. It has been an exceptional atmosphere for the two teams and in Paris we will be supported by our audience.
“Our goal was to press. We have tried to defend ourselves on their right side and defend their long balls. They are a very well-worked team.
“In the first half, we were a little less intense in attack, in the second it was totally different.”
Terzic: We deserved the victory
Borussia Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic:
“It was a well-deserved win, a good team performance.
“We could have scored more goals, but so could they. That’s why the result is okay from my point of view. We ran a lot, but that’s necessary in a game like this. You have to earn your way to Wembley.
“All we need now is a draw in the second leg, but we also want to win next week. We have a small lead and a good opportunity.”
Analysis: Sancho back to his best at old stomping ground
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
“Jadon Sancho is back!
“The winger has gradually been returning to peak condition in Germany after his long spell on the sidelines at Man Utd but after his goal against Leipzig at the weekend his performance against PSG showed he is back at the exciting levels of his first stint at Dortmund.
“There was no assist but he couldn’t have done much more, teeing up Fullkrug and Brandt for huge chances they failed to convert.
“But it was his slickness with the ball at his feet, his turn of speed and confidence in demanding to be passed to which indicated the Sancho of old is back.
“As for PSG full-back Nuno Mendes, he had a torrid evening trying to contain him and won’t relish the rematch in Paris.”
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
