Niclas Fullkrug’s thunderbolt electrifies Dortmund’s yellow wall as Jadon Sancho dazzles in 1-0 win… but eyes turn to Kylian Mbappe in what could be his swan song at PSG next week , writes CRAIG HOPE

If this is to be Kylian Mbappe’s last dance before leaving for Real Madrid, he better deliver a pretty dazzling tango in Paris next week if he has any chance of meeting his potential suitors in the final.

The only consolation for him and his teammates is that they will be content with this score, after an evening where they looked like the Paris Saint-Germain of yesteryear, all divas and directionless. They have the talent to turn things around, as they did against Barcelona in the quarter-final, but they will have to be much better than that.

Amid a bustling, fluorescent-lit occasion, Mbappe was thrust into the shadows by match-winner Niclas Fullkrug, but even more so by man-of-the-match Jadon Sancho. Do you remember him ?

The Manchester United outcast was exceptional, at times outrageous, and the prospect of him playing in a Champions League final as his parent club fight to avoid dropping into the Conference League will not be lost on the player, nor those who he didn’t trust. at Old Trafford.

Here, they trust him. In fact, giving the ball to Sancho was as good a tactic as any. That Dortmund heads to the French capital with just one goal in hand is not their fault. He created a series of chances in the second half that should have been converted.

The German striker produced a superb center forward to propel his team into the lead.

Kylian Mbappe was frustrated that evening and was only able to hit the post in the second half.

Coach Edin Terzic agreed. “It was a well-deserved victory,” he said. “We could have scored more goals, but all we need now is a draw in the second leg.”

But what an intriguing and engaging competition! These teams survived the Group of Death and produced a draw that suited them in December, on a back-scratching night.

This time they were trying to stick knives into it.

Dortmund drew first, and what proved to be the only blood in the 36th minute.

Fullkrug, the latecomer who made his Germany debut at the age of 29 just two years ago, suddenly transformed into Mbappe. It’s funny, because Mbappé played like a journeyman center forward at the other end of the pitch.

Fullkrug’s touch before finishing wasn’t just a good touch for a big man, it was an exceptional touch for a player of any shape or size. Nico Schlotterbeck floated a ball behind the PSG backline, where the striker cushioned as if wearing a slipper to his right and smashed the ball as if equipped with a hammer to his left.

Jadon Sancho returned to his best creating countless problems for PSG

The England international gave Nuno Mendes a torrid time throughout the 90 minutes.

Edin Terzic answered all his tactical calls as Dortmund kept their Ligue 1 visitors at bay

This created a noise that would have woken up every non-football resident of this sleepy town. It’s a strange place, Dortmund, gray without charm, even on a sunny day like this. Everything is gray as you leave the center towards the stadium. Even the birds are all pigeons.

But there is also the Westfalenstadion, like a rising sun on the outskirts of the city. These patches of gray are here washed with yellow, an explosion of colors and an incessant clicking. In a city that always sleeps, the football club is the stimulus. Last night, this assault on the senses was at its most ferocious, an inspiration or an intimidation, depending on which camp you were on.

Whatever happens, this will be the last Champions League match of the season here, and those at the Yellow Wall wanted it to be uncomfortable on a scale for those in white.

Mbappe came close in the second half and PSG missed many good chances

PSG has everything to do before the semi-final second leg in Paris next week

You will never walk alone, they sang in chorus before kick-off. The PSG players quickly realized that they couldn’t run anywhere without company either. With this intent and intensity, one really wonders how they struggled at the national level.

They are currently fifth in the Bundesliga and at least this victory means UEFA coefficient guarantees will be enough for a place in the Champions League next season.

Here, however, they have decided to bypass the mathematicians, and with magicians like Sancho, they could well qualify as defending champions.

PSG boss Luis Enrique said: “Everyone knew it wasn’t going to be easy. It must be recognized that it is an exceptional stadium, with supporters who know how to support their team.

“It’s football. Sometimes it’s wonderful, and other times, that’s just how it happens.

Enrique attacked the press on the eve of the match, accusing them of knowing nothing about football. He was responding to a claim that his team was the heavy favorite to win here. Turns out Enrique was right.

But the aggression that the Spaniard had shown in the press room, he had to reproduce in the locker room at half-time, because his team did better in the second half.

Mbappe finally looked like a player Real Madrid wanted – although for five minutes he cracked the post and brought in a decent save from Gregor Kobel. The effort which bounced off the post was followed by teammate Achraf Hakimi, who hit the other post.

Midfielder Nuno Mendes then somehow managed to head home from six yards out, with PSG enjoying a brief surge after a first half without a shot on target.

Dortmund fans generated great atmosphere before kick-off at Signal Iduna Park

The Yellow Wall was in full voice for Dortmund’s first Champions League semi-final since 2013

The team responded on the field by delivering a superb performance

Another highlight from the opening period was Sancho completing seven dribbles, the most completed by any player in the competition this season. He took that tally to 13 in the end, including leapfrogging two defenders and cutting back for Fullkrug on the hour. His wild shot hit the wall, however.

Fullkrug then headed from eight yards and Julian Brandt pushed straight past Gianluigi Donnarumma after being released by Sancho.

There will then be a little regret for missed opportunities. This didn’t stop the Yellow Wall from swaying in joyous songs full time. They can only hope this isn’t their last dance.