Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain

HOW THEY GOT HERE

After finishing second in their group, Paris Saint-Germain were drawn against Real Sociedad in the last 16 of the competition. Thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola, the capital club won the first leg 2-0 at the Parc des Princes. In the second leg at the Reala Arena, Kylian Mbappé was once again on target with a brace that sealed victory for the French champions (1-2). In the next round, the capital club faced another Spanish outfit: FC Barcelona. In a thrilling encounter at the Parc des Princes, Paris were edged 3-2 by the Catalans. But the return leg in Spain was a different story altogether, and it was Paris Saint-Germain who finally booked their place in the last four with resounding 4-1 victory!

For their part, Borussia Dortmund had already made their mark in the group phase by finishing top of their group ahead of... Paris. The German side then had to overcome a resilient PSV Eindhoven in the Round of 16, drawing the first leg in the Philips Stadion 1-1. BVB made the difference at home, thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus (2-0). In the quarter-finals, Borussia took on Atlético Madrid, who had themselves beaten one of Europe's most successful teams of the season: Inter Milan. After a very difficult first half at the Cívitas Metropolitano, Dortmund gave themselves hope late on when Sébastien Haller reduced the deficit (2-1). And once again, it was at the BVB Stadion that Julian Brandt's and Co. distinguished themselves, with a spectacular 4-2 victory that propelled them into the semi-finals!

THE STATS

This Wednesday evening, Paris Saint-Germain will be looking for a first ever win at the BVB Stadion (2 draws, 1 defeat). To do so, Paris will once again be looking to control the game, the side from the French capital boasts an average 65% possession in the UEFA Champions League this season - a record for a single edition since Opta began analysing it (2003-04). Vitinha has completed 96% of his passes since the start of the knockout phase this season (212/222), it’s the highest percentage of any midfielder. Moreover, the French side have lost just once in 6 meetings with the German club (2 wins, 3 draws). This tie is also Les Rouge et Bleu’s fourth Champions League semi-final, the most of any French club.

Borussia Dortmund, for their part, are also playing in their fourth Champions League semi-final. The German side has reached the final twice: in 1997 and 2013. And in their bid to reach the next round once again, they will be able to rely on the BVB Stadion, which has become a veritable fortress: Dortmund have not lost any of their last 10 Champions League matches (6 wins, 4 draws), their longest run in the competition. Illustrating their good form in recent weeks, Marcel Sabitzer has provided no fewer than five assists in the Champions League this season, including 2 in the last match against Atlético Madrid. The only Borussia Dortmund player to make more assists in a single season in the competition is none other than... Ousmane Dembélé, with six in 2016-17.

BVB POTENTIAL LINE-UP

Edin Terzic and his team usually line-up in a 4-3-3 formation. In goal, Swiss international Gregor Kobel (81% of saves in the Champions League this season) is growing in stature and is now the undisputed No.1. In front of him, the first-choice centre-back pairing is Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels, and while Hummels was forced to make way for Niklas Süle in the previous match, he should be back against the Parisians. At right-back, Norway international Julian Ryerson has proved himself this campaign, but with Ramy Bensebaini injured and Ian Maatsen's presence on the opposite flank uncertain, Ryerson could be forced to start on the left side of the defence.
In that case, Germany international Marius Wolf would take his place at right-back.

In midfield, captain Emre Can is the pillar of the team. He plays in that central holding midfield role, with Salih Özcan, while Marcel Sabitzer (6 goals and 9 assists in all competitions this season) and Julian Brandt (9 goals, 14 assists) are expected to play a little higher. The latter has so far been preferred to neo-German international Felix Nmecha, who remains a credible alternative in midfield.

In attack, Donyell Malen (13 goals, 5 assists) is a doubt to start on the right wing. But there is no need for the Ruhr club to panic, having brought back the versatile Jadon Sancho (3 goals, 2 assists) on loan this winter, and he can play on both flanks. The same can be said of the mercurial Karim Adeyemi (5 goals, 2 assists), who should also be included in the Borussia starting line-up, while the emblematic Marco Reus (7 goals, 7 assists) and the promising Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (2 goals, 7 assists) could also make appearances during the game.

Finally, the central attacking role is likely to fall to German international Niclas Füllkrug (15 goals, 10 assists) who has been one of BVB's surprises of the season. He is likely to start in the absence of the injured Sébastien Haller. Youngster Youssoufa Moukoko (4 goals) could also get his chance during the match.