PSG are looking to book their spot in the Champions League final for the first time since 2020 when they take on Dortmund over two legs in the last four of this year’s competition.
The French champions travel to Germany on May 1st for the opening leg and then just six days later, the two teams will play out the return leg in Paris. Here is a look at the three keys to success for PSG in this tie.
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappe’s trophy cabinet at just 25 years old:
Ligue 1 – 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Trophée des Champions – 🏆🏆🏆
Coupe De France – 🏆🏆🏆
French League Cup – 🏆🏆
World Cup – 🏆
Nations League – 🏆A farewell league title in his final season at PSG 👋 pic.twitter.com/eStdjGDvu6
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 28, 2024
In what is set to be his final season at PSG before he moves to Real Madrid this summer, Kylian Mbappé would love to win the European trophy as his parting gift. His side are second-best in the Champions League odds at 5/2 to do that.
PSG are the 4/9 favorites in the Dortmund vs. PSG betting to qualify for the final, and if the German side are to have any chance of reaching Wembley themselves, they will need to stop Mbappé.
The France international has netted over 40 goals this season in what has been the best campaign of his career. He has particularly been impressive in the Champions League, scoring eight goals in ten games so far.
Dortmund center-back Mats Hummels is one of the most experienced defenders in Europe’s premier competition. However, now at the age of 35, he is going to have a tough task on his hands stopping the PSG forward.
PSG Know Dortmund Well
Dortmund are familiar opponents for PSG as they have played them twice already this season. Luis Enrique’s side defeated the Bundesliga club 2-0 at the Parc des Princes back in September in the group stage of the Champions League, while they drew 1-1 with them at the Westfalenstadion in December. The latter game was crucial, as defeat would have eliminated PSG from the competition.
Enrique will be analyzing those two matches to come up with a game plan for this semi-final tie. He also would have watched his opponents in Germany in their recent league fixtures. The Prussians have not been in great form over the last few weeks, as they have won just one of their last four games. They were beaten by RB Leipzig 4-1 in their latest Bundesliga appearance.
Stopping Niclas Fullkrug
With 14 goals in all competitions, striker Niclas Fullkrug is Dortmund’s leading goalscorer this season. He signed for the Black and Yellow from Werder Bremen last summer, and that is proving smart business for Dortmund.
👕 Five appearances
⚽️ Five goalsNiclas Fullkrug making his mark in the @DFB_Team 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/vosOXOzX4O
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 25, 2023
Along with a threat in front of goal, the German international is a physical presence for the German side. Marquinos and Lucas Hernandez are going to have their hands full in the center of PSG’s defence. Their job will be to keep him out of the game as much as possible.
If Fullkrug is kept quiet in the two legs in this fixture, there will be more pressure on the likes of Julian Brandt, Emre Can and Marcel Sabitzer to deliver from midfield.
The winner of this fixture will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final in London on the 1st of June.
