Niclas Fullkrug’s superb goal gave Borussia Dortmund a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain.
The breakthrough came after the half-hour when Germany striker Fullkrug brought down Nico Schlotterbeck’s raking pass with his right foot and fired a blistering shot beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma with his left.
PSG were indebted to Donnarumma for a superb save before the break when he denied Marcel Sabitzer from Fullkrug’s cute lay-off.
The visitors enjoyed their most convincing spell immediately after halftime when Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi hit either post on the same attack. Fabian Ruiz then hideously misjudged a header from six yards on the end of a brilliant Marquinhos cross.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG final score
Fulltime | Goalscorers | |
Dortmund | 1 | Fullkrug 36′ |
PSG | 0 |
Starting lineups:
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Gregor Kobel (GK) — 26, Julian Ryerson (17. Marius Wolf), 15. Mats Hummels, 4. Nico Schlotterbeck, 22. Ian Maatsen — 20. Marcel Sabitzer, 23. Emre Can — 27. Karim Adeyemi (11. Marco Reus), 19. Julian Brandt (8. Felix Nmecha), 10. Jadon Sancho — 14. Niclas Fullkrug (18. Youssoufa Moukoko).
PSG (4-3-3, right to left): 99. Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) — 2. Achraf Hakimi, 5. Marquinhos, 21. Lucas Hernandez (35. Lucas Beraldo), 25. Nuno Mendes — 33. Warren Zaire-Emery, 17. Vitinha, 8. Fabian Ruiz — 10. Ousmane Dembele, 7. Kylian Mbappe, 29. Bradley Barcola (23. Randal Kolo Muani).
Yet Dortmund showed no inclination to simply hang onto their lead and fired back with interest. Fullkrug volleyed over a far simpler chance than the one he put away after Jadon Sancho tormented the beleaguered Nuno Mendes.
The teams went blow for blow until the end, with Gregor Kobel denying Ousmane Dembele at close quarters before the former Dortmund winger fired over. At the other end, PSG were unpicked by Sancho and indebted to skipper Marquinhos for a heroic block on Julian Brandt.
All of those near misses could weigh heavily in six days’ time in Paris. For now, the one Fullkrug finished with aplomb is the difference.
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG stats
Dortmund | Stat | PSG |
13 | Shots | 14 |
4 | Shots on target | 3 |
1.42 | Expected goals | 1.58 |
42% | Possession | 58% |
426 | Passes | 582 |
4 | Corners | 3 |
11 | Fouls | 6 |
2 | Yellow cards | 1 |
1 | Offsides | 2 |
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG analysis
Sancho revels in redemption story
On TNT Sports’ broadcast in the UK, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand pulled out an astonishing halftime statistic. During the opening 45 minutes, Sancho had completed seven dribbles — more than he managed in any of his 58 Premier League appearances for the Old Trafford club. Unfortunately for the over-worked Mendes, Sancho wasn’t done and the England winger went through the gears after halftime.
England and Manchester United already feel like ghosts of Sancho’s past despite the fact he’s 24 and they remain his parent club. Much of the post-match analysis of the winger’s effervescent display was shot through a United lens but sometimes it’s just as simple as a player feeling comfortable in their surroundings.
And also, comfortable within their structure. Sancho had the tireless Julian Ryerson behind him at right-back, Julian Brandt pulling the strings at No. 10 and a centre-forward who was always available. When did he ever have all those elements all at once at United? By the same token, how often did United enjoy Sancho showing this level of application? There is, no doubt, responsibility on both sides, as is the case now for Dortmund and their prodigal son at this moment of potential rebirth.
Fullkrug turns up the volume of the Yellow Wall
The trope that big, hulking centre-forwards are a thing of the past is somewhat blown apart by the fact a huge blonde Norwegian rammed home more than 50 goals in a treble-winning campaign last season. But the way elite teams use their attackers has changed. Luis Enrique opted to keep Goncalo Ramos in reserve as he opted for a front three packed with movement and ingenuity. Even though PSG were perhaps slightly unfortunate to lose in the final analysis, it left them toothless during the first half. Randal Kolo Muani coming on ahead of Portugal striker Ramos felt like an outright odd call.
Cutting a contrast, Fullkrug produced a superb demonstration of the art of traditional centre-forward play. The goal was the crowning moment, but there were also lovely touches, clever link-up play and brutal aggression in the air. When you’ve set up in the knowledge that your opponents will have the majority of the ball, seeing a striker like Fullkrug lead from the front as he did is invaluable to morale. It meant Sancho and Karim Adeyemi had every reason to keep going and going down the flanks all night. They’ll need to rest up and produce something even bigger next week.
Fulltime
Dortmund claim a slender advantage to take to Paris next week. That could have been worse for PSG, even through they spurned a handful of glorious chances after halftime themselves, and Luis Enrique probably won’t be too concerned regarding the overall state of the tie. Fullkrug’s winner was fabulous, worthy of winning an excellent game.