Borussia Dortmund host Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
Both teams escaped tumultuous quarter-final ties to reach the last four, and Dortmund will contest their first Champions League semi-final since facing Bayern Munich in the final in Germany 11 years ago.
BVB beat Atletico Madrid 5-4 on aggregate as they trailed 4-3 with 20 minutes to go. PSG were also forced to come from behind in their quarter-final, but Barcelona's collapse saw them win 4-1 in Catalonia and thus progress as 6-4 winners.
Luis Enrique's team were confirmed as champions of Ligue 1 at the weekend, and will have a difficult first leg on Wednesday against Dortmund who were beaten 4-1 by RB Leipzig on Saturday. Dortmund may need to win this season's competition to ensure they qualify for the 2024/25 Champions League.
It will be the third time these two sides face each other this season as they have joined Group F to start the campaign. PSG won comfortably on home soil before playing in Dortmund to ensure they progressed to the knockouts.
Here it is 90 min preview of Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final first leg.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Borussia Dortmund |
PSG |
|---|---|
|
RB Leipzig 4-1 Borussia Dortmund – 27/04/24 |
PSG 3-3 Le Havre – 27/04/24 |
|
Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen – 21/04/24 |
Lorient 1-4 PSG – 24/04/24 |
|
Borussia Dortmund 4-2 Atletico Madrid – 16/04/24 |
PSG 4-1 Lyon – 21/04/24 |
|
Borussia Monchengladbach 1-2 Borussia Dortmund – 13/04/24 |
Barcelona 1-4 PSG – 16/04/24 |
|
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Borussia Dortmund – 10/04/24 |
PSG 2-3 Barcelona – 10/04/24 |
|
The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
app discovery+, TNT Sports 1, discovery+ |
|
United States |
TUDN.com, TUDN App, Univision, TUDN USA, CBS, Paramount+, Univision NOW |
|
Canada |
DAZN |
Dortmund will be without long-term absentee Ramy Bensebaini with a knee injury, while Sebastien Haller has also been ruled out with an ankle problem.
Mats Hummels is said to be struggling but is expected to be fit for Wednesday's game. Donyell Malen has struggled with a thigh injury and is unlikely to start, but the Dutchman could make Edin Terzic's matchday squad.
Dortmund predicted to face PSG (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Can, Sabitzer; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Fullkrug.
Enrique has had success with Bradley Barcola lined up on the left and Kylian Mbappe up top, and we should see that dynamic again in Dortmund where the Spaniard could name an unchanged side for the second leg at Barcelona.
In terms of injuries, PSG have no new concerns but will be without Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico and Layvin Kurzawa.
PSG predicted to face Dortmund (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Hernandez, Mendes; Vitinha, Fabian, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola.
We enjoyed previewing this semi-final during the stages, and PSG are unlucky not to win in Dortmund despite being behind.
Enrique's side are starting to shake PSG's Champions League threat having already won twice away from home in the second half, but this is the biggest test of their fitness in the match at Signal Iduna Park.
BVB's passionate home crowd put them over the line in the quarters, and although they are far below their opponents, there is no doubt that this game will be competitive. The hosts have to get a result on Wednesday night, and PSG will miss chances in transition, but Enrique's side are well-built to win on the road in the first leg.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 PSG
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