Niclas Fullkrug’s first-half strike helped Borussia Dortmund take a one-goal advantage in their Champions League semi-final clash against Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday night at the Signal Iduna Park.
Edin Terzic’s side saw out a hard-fought victory against the French champions as they looked to target a berth in the Champions League final for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
And they got off to the better start, with the German club getting just rewards following an authoritative opening 30 minutes, wiht Fullkrug breaking free before clinically guiding the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal. Marcel Sabitzer almost doubled their lead before the break, thumping the ball straight towards the PSG goalkeeper, who expertly pushed the ball away from the danger zone.
PSG came out flying in the second half with Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi both hitting the woodwork early on. Jadon Sancho would also show his brilliance to feed a brilliant cross into the visitor’s penalty area but Fullkrug could not make good the opportunity – firing his shot over the cross-bar.
Mail Sport’s Pete Jenson delivers his player ratings from Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final clash.
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1)
Gregor Kobel – 6
Took one gamble in possession in the first half but got away with it not called into action too much because of PSG’s wayward finishing.
Julian Ryerson – 6.5
Aggressive recuperations and tidy in possession. Did his best to support Sancho going forward.
Mats Hummels – 7
Marshalled Mbappe well and bossed a defence that needed to be at its best on Dortmund’s biggest night of the season.
Nico Schlotterbeck – 7.5
Great near-post block at the end of the first half. Important part of the operation to shut down Mbappe and stayed the course into the second half when PSG began to throw everything forward.
Ian Maatsen – 8
Why is he on loan at Dortmund and not playing for Chelsea. Positive, skilful and direct going forward. Harshly booked for foul on Zaire-Emery but never let that alter a very impressive display.
Emre Can – 6.5
Helped cage-in Mbappe in the first half by playing in front of the Dortmund centre-backs. Played his part in controlling Vitinha.
Marcel Sabitzer – 7
Combative in midfield and tested Donnarumma with good shot before the break. Legs and quality in Dortmund’s engine room.
Karim Adeyemi – 7
Tracked back brilliantly to support Maatsen. And was increasingly a problem for PSG down their right side. Outshone by Sancho on the other wing, but a good display.
Julian Brandt – 6.5
Tried to weave golden threads from the space in front of PSG’s defence but lacked a decisive pass and shot high and wide when well placed to score in the second half.
Jadon Sancho – 8.5
Looked back to his very best. Danced his way infield frequently causing panic in the PSG defence. Then showed he could go on the outside too skipping past Nuno and leaving Fullkrug with golden chance to double the lead.
Niclas Fullkrug – 7
Starved of touches let alone chances in the first half but the first opportunity he got he buried it with the minimum fuss. Then the chances came one after the other… and he missed them all.
Subs
Marco Reus (for Adeyemi, 65) – 7
Marius Wolf (for Ryerson 87)
Felix Nmecha (for Brandt 87)
Moukoko (for Fullkrug 91)
PSG (4-2-3-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6.5
Saved well at his near post from Dortmund’s first chance. Maybe slow to get down for the opening goal but this was not a repeat of his nightmare in the quarterfinal first leg against Barcelona.
Achraf Hakimi – 7
Largely limited to defensive duties early on, trying, and not always managing, to deal with Adeyemi and Maatsen. More adventurous second half and hit post.
Marquinhos – 6.5
Played Fullkrug on side and then lost him at his back for the opening goal. PSG’s defence still has a soft centre after so many years of spending.
Lucas Hernandez – 6
Slow to get across to Fullkrug, lunged too late and injured himself in the process. Limped off before half time.
Nuno Mendes – 6
Lost the battle with Sancho. And was so busy defensively that he could offer no threat going forward.
Warren Zaire-Emery – 6
Worked hard in midfield and some nice long passes forward but never really stamped his authority on the game. Shot-shy.
Vitinha – 6
Luis Enrique’s midfield metronome. Huge talent who helped run the early part of the game for the French side but his influence faded.
Fabian Ruiz – 6.5
Guilty in first half of always looking to find Mbappe when less well-marked options were on. Had one header from close range but he couldn’t steer it goalwards.
Ousamane Dembele – 6.5
If all shots were goals no player would score more. Never afraid to try but his aim was way off too often. Tried with a header but that also never looked like testing Kobel. Lacked end product.
Kylian Mbappe – 6.5
Like the biblical Samson with a haircut when boxed-in the first half. Found more space to gallop in wider areas after the break but hit the post with his best chance.
Bradley Barcola – 6
Saw little of the ball as the vast majority of PSG’s attacks came down Dembele’s right wing. Taken off in the second half.
