1-0 – Hummels heads BVB to London

Boris Rupert reporting from Paris

BVB did not allow PSG into the game courtesy of a strong team performance and were actually the slightly more dangerous team in the first period. Adeyemi had the chance to make it 1-0 following a strong solo run (35), which Hummels then did with a header from a corner in the 50th minute. The Black & Yellows then had to ride out some anxious moments, but the 2,000 BVB fans among the 47,000 spectators at the Parc des Princes were ultimately celebrating qualification for the final.

The scenario:   
Borussia Dortmund's three previous away matches against Paris Saint-Germain had produced one draw (0-0) and two 2-0 defeats. Their record in knockout ties against opponents from France was positive. BVB had progressed to the next round on four occasions and been eliminated two times.

Personnel matters:   
The entire squad was available with the exception of the injured Bensebaini and Duranville. The line-up was the same as in the first leg.

Tactics:   
Both teams lined up in a 4-3-3. In contrast to the first leg, PSG started with a genuine centre-forward in Ramos, positioned top goalscorer Mbappé on the left flank and showed respect. The attacks – which mostly came down the right flank via full-back Hakimi, who pushed high up the pitch in possession, and wing-forward Dembele – were executed with a great deal of control and without taking major risks. However, Maatsen faced a Herculean task for which he received support from Adeyemi, who tracked back a long way. BVB then generally sat very deep, left little space between the two banks of four and switched the play at lightning upon winning back ball possession.

The match & analysis:
BVB defended in a focused manner. The players were there for one another. And as PSG showed a lot of respect and exercised caution, it was an even first half at the Parc des Princes all in all. "They have a mission, we have a huge dream," Edin Terzic had said before kick-off. Ryerson produced the first moment of attacking excitement in the 19th minute, firing a shot into the side-netting from a centre-right position in the box. The shot count stood at 3-3 by the half-hour mark. The PSG players were unable to get achieve any penetration with their passes, with an alert Dortmund defender always on hand to intervene.

After the first two slightly more precarious situations in the Dortmund box, Adeyemi embarked upon a solo run covering more than half the pitch and – though under pressure from two opponents – had a shot from a centre-left position in the box that was saved by keeper Donnarumma (35). It could've been the opener and BVB's first-ever goal in four games at the Parc des Princes.

The second period started with a double scare. Ryerson initially had to intervene at the back post, before Zaire-Emery struck the upright from close range following the resultant corner. However, the linesman's flag was raised (47). The answer: Schlotterbeck drove forward from his own half, dribbled high up the pitch and passed to Adeyemi, who was stopped by Hakimi but won a corner. Brandt delivered the set-piece into the box from the left and Hummels rose the highest, heading home to open the scoring at 1-0 (50).

Reus replaced Adeyemi, who was carrying a knock, around five minutes later. Paris looked uneasy for several minutes but then hit back with power. Vitinha laid the ball off for Ramos, who shot from the penalty spot but fired over the bar (60)! Sixty seconds later, Nuno Mendes struck the right upright with a powerful effort from distance – fortunately!

Terzic brought on Süle for Sancho and switched to a back five (67). Borussia, who were decked out all in yellow, now looked more secure in a 5-4-1 and made their mark offensively too. Brandt was stopped at the last moment at the cost of a corner. The ball then ended up in the back of the net for 2-0, but goalscorer Hummels was offside (77). At the other end, Kobel made a save to thwart Mbappé (81), Marquinhos' header missed the target by centimetres (83) and Kobel turned an Mbappé shot onto the crossbar following a turbulent scene in the penalty box (86). Two minutes later, the woodwork came to the rescue. Lee had shot from distance.

Outlook:   
BVB will continue their season with an away game against 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Kick-off is at 18:30 CEST.

Teams & goals

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final Return Leg
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 0-1 (0-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Paris St. Germain: Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes – Vitinha – Zaire-Emery (Lee, 76), Fabian (Asensio, 64) – Dembelé, Ramos (Barcola, 64), Mbappé
Bor. Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen – Can – Sabitzer, Brandt (Nmecha, 85) – Sancho (Süle, 67), Füllkrug, Adeyemi (Reus, 57)
Substitutes: Navas, Tenas; Danilo Pereira, Mukiele, Skriniar, Zague, Carlos Soler, Ugarte, Kolo Muani – Meyer, Lotka; Haller, Moukoko, Bynoe-Gittens, Özcan, Wätjen, Malen
Goals: 0-1 Hummels (Brandt, 50)
Corners: 12-4 (3-1 at half-time), chance ratio: 13-4 (1-2)
Referee: Orsato (Italy), yellow cards: Dembele, Hakimi – Sabitzer, Hummels
Attendance: 47,533 (sold-out), weather: Dry, 16 degrees