PLAYER RATINGS: Jadon Sancho returns to his BEST, Dortmund inhibits Kylian Mbappe expertly… and a defender proves PSG’s defense still has a soft core after years of spending
Niclas Fullkrug’s first-half goal gave Borussia Dortmund a one-goal lead in their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening at Signal Iduna Park.
Edin Terzic’s side secured a hard-fought victory against the French champions as they looked to target a place in the Champions League final for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
And they got off to a better start, with the German club only getting rewards after an authoritative first 30 minutes, with Fullkrug breaking free before clinically guiding the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma into the goal. Marcel Sabitzer almost doubled the lead before the break, sending the ball straight towards the PSG goalkeeper, who expertly pushed the ball away from the danger area.
PSG came out strong in the second half with Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi both hitting the woodwork early on. Jadon Sancho also showed his genius by delivering a brilliant cross into the visitors’ penalty area, but Fullkrug was unable to capitalize on the opportunity as he fired his shot over the crossbar.
Mail Sport’s Pete Jenson delivers his player ratings from Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final.
Niclas Fullkrug’s first-half goal helped Borussia Dortmund to a 1-0 win over PSG
Edin Terzic’s team will now travel to the Parc des Princes with a goal in hand
It was a difficult evening for Kylian Mbappe, largely inhibited by the Dortmund defense.
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1)
Gregor Kobel – 6
Took a gamble in possession in the first half, but escaped without much action due to PSG’s wayward finishing.
Julian Ryerson – 6.5
Aggressive and tidy recoveries in possession. Tried his best to support Sancho in the future.
Mats Hummels – 7
He organized Mbappe well and led a defense that needed to be at its best on Dortmund’s biggest night of the season.
Gregor Kobel was not called upon much, but made a mistake in the first half.
Mats Hummels was a giant at the back for Dortmund, directing PSG’s attackers all game
Ian Maatsen dazzled for Dortmund. This begs the question why didn’t Chelsea play him?
Nico Schlotterbeck – 7.5
Superb block at the near post at the end of the first half. An important part of the operation was to stop Mbappe and stayed the course until the second half when PSG started throwing everything at it.
Ian Maatsen – 8
Why is he on loan to Dortmund and not playing for Chelsea. Positive, skillful and direct for the future. Hardly booked for a foul on Zaire-Emery, but never let that detract from a very impressive display.
Emre can – 6.5
Helped Mbappe stay caged in the first half by playing in front of Dortmund’s central defenders. Played his role in controlling Vitinha.
Marcel Sabitzer – 7
Combative in midfield and tested Donnarumma with a good shot before the break. Legs and quality in the Dortmund engine room.
Karim Adeyemi – 7
Followed up brilliantly to support Maatsen. And it was more and more of a problem for PSG on their right side. Overshadowed by Sancho on the other wing, but a good performance.
Karim Adeyemi (right) followed up brilliantly and proved to be a problem on PSG’s right flank
Julien Brandt – 6.5
He tried to weave golden threads from space in front of the PSG defense, but missed an assist and shot high and wide when he was well placed to score in the second half.
Jadon Sancho – 8.5
He is back to his best level. Danced around the pitch, frequently causing panic in the PSG defense. He then showed he could go wide as well, passing Nuno and giving Fullkrug a golden chance to double the lead.
Nicolas Fullkrug – 7
Lacking touches and even fewer chances in the first half, but the first chance he got he buried it with the minimum of fuss. Then the opportunities kept coming… and he missed them all.
Julian Brandt lacked killer instinct in his finishing and wasted some passes
Jadon Sancho returned to his best and was a nuisance for PSG all night coming off the wing
Fullkrug took his chance to expertly give Dortmund a goal, producing a clinical finish
Submarines
Marco Reus (for Adeyemi, 65) – 7
Marius Wolf (for Ryerson 87)
Félix Nmecha (for Brandt 87)
Moukoko (for Fullkrug 91)
PSG (4-2-3-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6.5
Well saved at the near post from Dortmund’s first opportunity. Maybe slow to score the first goal, but it wasn’t a repeat of his nightmare in the first leg of the quarter-final against Barcelona.
Hakimi Ashraf – 7
Lamentably limited to defensive duties early on, trying, and not always succeeding, to cope with Adeyemi and Maatsen. Second half more adventurous and hit post.
Marquinhos – 6.5
He played Fullkrug on the side, then lost it behind his back for the first goal. PSG’s defense still has a soft center after so many years of spending.
Lucas Hernandez – 6
Slow to reach Fullkrug, he rushed in too late and injured himself in the process. He limped off before halftime.
Nuno Mendes – 6
I lost the battle with Sancho. And was so busy defensively that he couldn’t pose any threat going forward.
Warren Zaire-Emery – 6
He worked hard in midfield and made some nice long passes forward, but never really stamped his authority on the game. Shy.
Vitinha – 6
Luis Enrique’s midfield metronome. A huge talent who helped lead the start of the game for the French team but his influence has faded.
Fabien Ruiz – 6.5
Guilty in the first half of always trying to find Mbappe when less well-marked options were on offer. He had a header from close range but couldn’t direct it towards goal.
Oussamane Dembélé – 6.5
If all shots were goals, no player would score anymore. He was never afraid to try, but his aim was wrong too often. I tried with a head but it never looked like a Kobel test either. Lack of final product.
Kylian Mbappé – 6.5
Like the biblical Samson with a haircut when framed in the first half. Found more space to gallop into wider areas after the break, but hit the post with his best chance.
Bradley Barcola – 6
I saw little of the ball while the vast majority of PSG’s attacks fell on Dembélé’s right wing. Taken off in the second half.
Substitutes: Lucas Beraldo (for Lucas Hernandez, 41 years old) – 6
Randal Kolo Muani (for Barcola, 65) – 6
