Champions League
Borussia Dortmund is the first Champions League finalist after a 0-1 win against Paris Saint-Germain. Old warrior Mats Hummels (35) was crowned the great hero with the 250th goal in club history. PSG hit the target four times and had to retreat.
Paris Saint-Germain had to overcome a 1-0 deficit in the first leg against Borussia Dortmund. The Parc des Princes – adorned by an impressive tifo before kick-off – was looking forward to it and was seething like never before.
PSG itself swirled less. Still in the first half. The home team failed to create any danger before halftime. PSG did not get further than (half) chances for Ramos and Dembélé and a long shot from Vitinha. On the left flank, Mbappé, the only survivor of the Holy Trinity with Messi and Neymar, was a shadow of his former self.
Dortmund fought back bravely. And the best opportunity in the first half came ten minutes before half-time for the visitors. With a good counter opportunity, Adeyemi sprinted across half the field with the ball at his feet. A nice save from Donnarumma was needed to keep Dortmund from 0-1. The park was already a lot quieter.
Post, post, crossbar and crossbar
With an abundance of pyrotechnic material, the home fans tried to light the fuse again at the start of the second half. Almost successfully. In the first two minutes after the break, PSG came close to 1-0 twice. Ryerson’s first opportunity was only just pushed into a corner. On the corner kick that followed, Zaire-Emery hit the post.
Less than two minutes later, the Parisians were defeated, as the visitors were rewarded with an avoidable corner kick. Brandt found the completely free-standing Hummels at the far post, who was able to head in. PSG now needed to score at least twice. Wembley was suddenly very far from Paris.
PSG stood with their backs against the wall and began a siege of the German goal. Ramos decided to go too wild after a good move by Vitinha. With Nuno Mendes, another Portuguese hit the post again with a shot from outside the box. In the last five minutes of regular time, Mbappé and Vitinha also hit the crossbar. In total, PSG hit the target six times over two matches.
It took blood, sweat and tears, but the ‘Gelbe Wand’ stood firm and Dortmund survived the Parisian final offensive. The Germans thus qualify for the final battle of the Champions League for the first time since 2013. With thanks to Mats Hummels, who, like the retiring Marco Reus, was also there eleven years ago. Just like then, the final will be played at Wembley. And just like then, Bayern Munich can become the opponent. In 2013 it became 1-2 for the arch-rival. It’s up to Dortmund to prove that history can rhyme, but that doesn’t mean it has to repeat itself.
