BVB shine on the pitch and in the stands in 2-1 victory

Boris Rupert reporting

Dortmund did a good job of neutralising their opposition's attacking threat while looking dangerous going forward themselves. By the interval the Black & Yellows had registered three chances to PSG's one, and were applauded off the pitch by the 66,099 spectators at a sold-out Signal Iduna Park. Their reward came in the 69th minute when Haaland capped a strong display with a goal to give the hosts a deserved lead. Neymar levelled in the 75th minute, but the Norwegian struck again two minutes later to seal the win.

The scenario: 
This was a meeting between the two best attacks in Europe's top leagues: Borussia Dortmund (63 goals in 22 games) and Paris St. Germain (67 in 25). PSG won five of their six group games, only conceding two goals. BVB, meanwhile, relied on their strong form at home, where they drew 0-0 with Barcelona before beating Slavia Prague and Inter Milan 2-1 and 3-2 respectively. Seven of their 10 points in the group stage came on home turf.

Personnel matters: 
Dortmund, who were still without the injured trio of Reus, Brandt and Delaney, took to the field with the same XI that won 4-0 against Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Friday. 

Tactics:  
The visitors went into this game in a 3-4-3 formation – with one attacker fewer than they usually have in their 4-2-4 system – but transitioned to a 5-2-3 when they lost the ball. Their tactic was to play long balls over the defence to get the lightning-quick Mbappé in behind. BVB, also in a 5-2-3, relied on quick switch play after winning the ball, with Hakimi a particular threat down the right. Sancho was usually marked by two PSG players when he had the ball.

The match & analysis:
BVB dominated the opening minutes, though it was PSG who had the first chance as Neymar flashed a free-kick wide in the 11th minute. That was the only opportunity the French side had to score in the first half, however. Dortmund stayed focused and solid defensively. Can cut an energetic figure in central midfield, with the vigilant Witsel by his side.

With 14 minutes played, a PSG corner was headed clear by Haaland and BVB countered at lightning pace through Sancho. The Englishman ran the full length of the field but the right passing opportunity did not present itself and he instead had a go himself, firing narrowly wide from 18 metres out. Seven minutes later, Hakimi was played in down the right flank and he intelligently cut the ball back to Can, only for Verratti to get a foot in and hook the ball away. On the 23-minute mark, Hummels missed the target with a looping header from a free-kick.

Time and time again, the Black & Yellows quickly got themselves into dangerous positions in front of goal after winning the ball back. Sancho's shot was saved by Navas in the 27th minute, with Hakimi's follow-up blocked. Eight minutes later, Haaland hit the side-netting and was then teed up by Sancho but failed to direct his header goalbound from a promising position. BVB had had seven shots to PSG's two by the break.

Hakimi was fed by Can in the 49th minute but saw his shot from a narrow angle kept out by Navas. BVB took the following corner short and went close with an intricate passing move in the opposition area. Seconds later, Haaland held onto the ball for too long and was crowded out by the opposition defence. The spectators rose to their feet at this point of the match to applaud the Black & Yellows for their courage and commitment.

But shutting out a side like PSG completely is not possible. Mbappé had two shots at goal in the 65th and 66th minutes respectively, both of which were saved by Bürki. At the other end, Hakimi's 67th-minute shot sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Favre then withdrew Hazard and introduced Reyna, whose first involvement was to be part of the move that led to the opening goal. The move was initiated by Witsel and then continued by Can on the halfway line, who beckoned Haaland towards him. The Norwegian duly obliged – and laid it off to the 17-year-old American, who played a one-touch pass to Sancho. Hakimi latched onto the ball on the right and crossed towards Guerreiro, whose initial effort was blocked. But Haaland reacted the quickest to fire home the opener. The stadium exploded as the crowd went wild.

Even Neymar's 75th-minute equaliser, teed up by Mbappé and celebrated with provocative arrogance, did not dampen the mood. Only two minutes later, Reyna fed Haaland and he took a single touch before blasting a shot from 18 metres out that flew unstoppably into the top corner to put the Black & Yellows 2-1 ahead.

Neymar (81) and Hakimi (86) subsequently went close for their respective sides, then Thiago Silva had a chance from a header in the third minute of stoppage time, but BVB held on for a deserved 2-1 victory.

Watch all the goals and highlights at a click

Outlook: 
Prior to the return leg at the Parc des Princes on 11 March, BVB have several pivotal games coming up in the Bundesliga. They are in Bremen on Saturday, before facing Freiburg at home (29/2) and Mönchengladbach away (7/3).

Teams & goals