Fuellkrug gives Dortmund Champions League advantage over PSG

DORTMUND:

Niclas Fuellkrug earned Borussia Dortmund a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday as the crafty striker outplayed superstar Kylian Mbappe on the night.

Seeking a return to the final for the first time since 2013, the 1997 winners were firm and determined, overcoming their heavily favored opponents in front of more than 80,000 fans.

Fuellkrug, playing in his first Champions League season at the age of 31, collected a pass from central defender Nico Schlotterbeck in the 36th minute and fired a low shot into the left corner of the net.

PSG, led by Kylian Mbappe, hit the post twice in quick succession early in the second half but could not get through.

“I think we showed a classic team performance today. Everyone helped the other to win the game. We needed a bit of luck at times, but we can be very satisfied with our performance,” said long-serving center back Mats. Hummels.

“It was a very satisfying, very mature performance from us.”

Dortmund, who already lost and drew with PSG this season in the group stage, can still dream of a return to Wembley 11 years after their last Champions League final.

Despite the setback, however, PSG will remain confident of overturning the deficit at home next week against a team they thoroughly outplayed at home in September.

“The Parc (PSG stadium) and our fans give us hope for the second leg and we know we can do much better,” PSG captain Marquinhos told Canal+.

Dortmund manager Edin Terzic said before the game that PSG had been “built to win the Champions League” since taking over from Qatar a decade ago.

Nowhere was the contrast between the two clubs greater than with PSG’s global superstar Mbappe, who was playing his final season for his hometown club, and Dortmund’s technical striker Fuellkrug, who was playing second-tier football this season. time two years ago.

Spurred on by a passionate home crowd who booed and whistled Mbappe’s every touch, Dortmund had the better of the early stages, with Jadon Sancho shining on the right.

Marcel Sabitzer had Dortmund’s best chance to open after 14 minutes, firing straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma from a tight angle.

The first came after 36 minutes thanks to some great old-school forward play from Fuellkrug.

Center back Schloterbeck had the ball well in his own half and considered a safe pass back to the keeper, but instead slotted it forward, with only Fuelkrug aware of the idea.

The striker controlled the ball with one touch and drilled a low shot past a helpless Donnarumma.

Fresh from wrapping up the Ligue 1 title at the weekend, PSG had few chances despite their attacking wealth in the first half, registering zero shots on target.

However, the visitors came alive after half-time, with Mbappe rattling home one try seconds before former Dortmund full-back Achraf Hakimi rattled home another.

PSG should have leveled after 56 minutes, Marquinhos winning a beautiful pass through a crowded Dortmund box, but Fabian Ruiz’s diving header went wide.

Another ex-Dortmund player, Ousmane Dembele, fired just in front of goal with 10 minutes remaining.

The impressive Sancho produced a superb pass for Julian Brandt with moments remaining but Dortmund’s hopes of a second were dashed by some desperate PSG defenders.

The win, along with Tuesday’s 2-2 draw between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the other semi-final, guarantees Germany, rather than England or France, an extra Champions League spot for next season.

This has already secured Dortmund’s place in the competition next season.