STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW Wed: Borussia Dortmund v PSG

Borussia Dortmund and PSG meet in a rematch of their Group F game in the second semi-final and neutrals could be in for some high drama in Germany, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.

Both teams came from behind in their quarter-final ties against Spanish opposition to reach the last 4, with BVB edging past Atletico Madrid after a 4-2 second-leg win and PSG turning around their tie against Barcelona, with a red card for Barca’s Ronald Araujo turning the tide in PSG’s favour as Kylian Mbappe (2), Vitinha and Ousmane Dembele sealed a 4-1 victory.

The visitors may arrive in higher spirits here, having sealed a 12th Ligue 1 title after Monaco’s loss at Lyon on Sunday, and they’ve been free-scoring with 4-1 wins over Lyon and Lorient before they were forced to rescue a 3-3 draw at home against Le Havre last weekend with a much-changed side.

That contrasts with Dortmund, who were pegged back in the 97th minute by Bayer Leverkusen before a 4-1 defeat at RB Leipzig, despite taking an early lead thanks to Jadon Sancho, who has been transformed by leaving Manchester United on loan this season and is ? to get on the scoresheet in the first leg.

However, both sides have raised their game for the Champions League this season, and it’s probably best to judge Dortmund on their home European record. Dortmund are unbeaten in their last 10 Champions League matches at Westfalenstadion, winning six of those and scoring 19 goals in the process, including 4 against Atletico Madrid to grab their quarter-final victory.

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Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain
Champions League Semi-Final, 1st Leg
Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
Kick-Off: 20:00
Live on TNT Sports 1 HD / TNT Sports Ultimate / Discovery +

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
DEC 2023 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Borussia Dortmund 1 – 1 PSG
SEP 2023 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PSG 2 – 0 Borussia Dortmund
MAR 2020 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PSG 2 – 0 Borussia Dortmund
FEB 2020 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Borussia Dortmund 2 – 1 PSG
NOV 2010 EUROPA LEAGUE PSG 0 – 0 Borussia Dortmund
OCT 2010 EUROPA LEAGUE Borussia Dortmund 1 – 1 PSG

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PSG have sometimes had struggles on the road in the Champions League – and some notable collapses – but under Luis Enrique they have been a more balanced and tactically versatile unit, and one that’s largely held their own when the pressure has been on.

PSG played very well and arguably were unlucky not to win their group stage meeting here (won xG count 2.86 – 1.38) in December, when an incredible block from Niklas Sule stopped Mbappe from giving PSG the lead, Bradley Barcola hit the post and Randal Kolo Muani missed the target in two one-on-ones with Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel.

Whilst they had the fortune of a red card in their second leg against Barcelona, Enrique’s side have arguably improved as the season went on, and they make slightly more appeal here in the match odds even with Dortmund’s home record.

12 of PSG’s last 13 Champions League away games, including all three away games in the group stage, saw both teams score, and with odds of just 2/5 on that happening here it could be worth backing ‘Paris Saint Germain and yes’ alongside ‘Draw and yes’ in the Match result and both teams to score market.

It’s also impossible to avoid the attraction of backing Kylian Mbappe to score at ? . He’s scored 34 goals in 38 games this season, including eight in the Champions League, and he would have scored in both group games between the pair if not for a superb goalline block. With Dortmund likely to push forward at some point given their strong home form he could get opportunities on the break, as was the case in the group game, and his record this season speaks for itself.

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