PSG concedes a narrow defeat at Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final first leg

The capital club has no choice but to win at the Parc des Princes next Tuesday if it wants to qualify for the second C1 final in its history.

Opposite, it was neither Bayern Munich nor Real Madrid, but climbing the Yellow Wall is a challenge that should never be underestimated. Paris Saint-Germain learned this the hard way on Wednesday May 1, losing on the pitch to Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final first leg of Champions League (1-0).

Lfar from their best level and lacking efficiency in almost all areas of the game, Luis Enrique’s players are, as in the previous round against Barcelona, ​​condemned to overthrow their opponent in the return match. It will possibly be without Lucas Hernandez, injured in the knee.

Paris has ruined a lot…

Nothing smiled on this PSG, certainly in their match, but far too imprecise to hope to win. The first period made it clear quickly. Despite a clear domination in holding the ball (58% possession), the capital club was surprised by a ball over the defense.

Taking advantage of the poor alignment of the defense, Niclas Füllkrug was found deep before having plenty of time to adjust Gianluigi Donnarumma (36th). Until then, Parisians had not really been worried. Their sterile mastery was simply punished.

Unlucky, they received a double penalty since Lucas Hernandez was injured while trying to intervene on Niclas Füllkrug’s shot. If he tried to hold his place, the 2018 world champion ended up lying on the ground, hands on his face, asking to be replaced. There is concern knowing that the injury is at the knee level. The painful memory of his cruciate ligament rupture during the first match of the last World Cup obviously came back.

.. But doing pretty well

It was with Lucas Beraldo that PSG continued the match, and with a great effort just after half-time. But the Parisians were not rewarded and will perhaps dwell for a long time on this occasion when Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi hit the post in quick succession (51st). Fabian Ruiz, twice (56th, 87th), and Ousmane Dembélé (72nd) also missed huge scoring opportunities. Destiny did not want to see them score on Wednesday night.

Luis Enrique’s players will leave Germany with ambivalent feelings. On the one hand, there will certainly be this frustration of not having been able to find the net, but also the relief of showing up at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday with just one goal behind.

In a way, PSG will be able to thank their evening tormentor, Niclas Füllkrug, for being very clumsy. Apart from his goal, the German international did not hit any of his other four shots, including two at close range (60th, 66th). He will be able to vent his frustration by telling himself that his goal, and the victory, have secured Germany’s second place in the UEFA rankings, which guarantees one more ticket next year in C1, for 5th in the Bundesliga. A place currently occupied by… Borussia Dortmund, guaranteed to end up in this place at worst.

Beyond the goal to come back, the capital club will have to change a lot of things to dominate this opponent who “is hungry”, in the words of coach Edin Terzic. Nuno Mendes went through hell on his left side and the offensive sector sometimes seemed disoriented. But the good news for Paris Saint-Germain is that the return match will be played in front of its home crowd, far from the deafening clamor of the Yellow Wall.