The U19s beaten by Dortmund

The Paris Saint-Germain U19s returned to UEFA Youth League action this afternoon. The youngsters played host to Borussia Dortmund, who ply their trade in the A Junioren Bundesliga, in which BVB are top of the West Division with five wins in as many matches. The encounter had a slight taste of revenge given Les Parisiens were knocked out by the same team after a penalty shootout last season in the Round of 16.  

The starting eleven 

Laurendon - El Hannach, Bagbonon, Gadou - Zague (c), Mbappé (Michut, 79’), Mayulu, Nhaga - Ardjani (Diaby, 79’), Bensoula (Mendy, 64’) - Sangare

Zoumana Camara’s side started the encounter in a 4-3-3 to face a very physical Dortmund side. Playing with real intensity, the home side managed to create several promising chances, with the Titis looking the more dangerous. No more so than in the 13th minute when Mahamadou Sangaré, was played in deep by Kamil Bensoula, and found himself one-on-one with the German goalkeeper. The BVB keeper seemed to be beaten, until the ball struck the post and went off for a corner. 

Les Parisiens dominated the possession, but came up against a particularly physical German side, who brought a lot of intensity into every duel. It was Julian Rijkhoff who scored the first goal of the match, connecting with a right-footed volley from outside the box. Bilal Laurendon could do nothing to stop the effort (0-1, 30’). And so the sides headed in at half-time after a very competitive half, with the German side leading by one goal. 

The second half started with the same intensity. Les Parisiens struggled to create as many chances against a well set-up and defensively solid team. Despite a lack of opportunities, Ilies Ardjani and Sérif Nhaga linked up well down the left. The Portuguese managed to cross into the box, but was unable to find a teammate.  

As the final whistle approached, Les Parisiens were still trailing but began to look more dangerous. The entrance of Etienne Michut allowed the number 14 and Senny Mayulu to trouble the defence, but there was always a German foot to clear the crosses into the box. After Tony Mendy won a corner, Sérif Nhaga connected with a header, but the goalkeeper stopped the effort on his line. A tackle from behind saw the Portuguese receive a second yellow card in the dying stages of the match. The Paris Saint-Germain U19s were beaten by the smallest of margins by Borussia Dortmund.

Next up

The next Youth League encounter for the Paris Saint-Germain U19s will see them travel to Newcastle on Wednesday 4 October. In the meantime, the Titis will be in action in the U19s National League, when they host LOSC Lille on Sunday 24 September at 3pm.