Dortmund, Germany: Coach Niklas Verkrug led Borussia Dortmund to a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, with the journeyman striker beating superstar Kylian Mbappé on the night. .
Aiming to reach the finals for the first time since 2013, the 1997 champion fought tenaciously, defeating an overwhelmingly popular opponent in front of more than 80,000 fans.
Verkrug, playing in his first Champions League season at the age of 31, collected a lofted pass from centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck in the 36th minute and fired a low shot into the left corner of the goal.
PSG, led by Kylian Mbappé, had two shots that hit the post in quick succession early in the second half, but were unable to break through.
“I think we had a typical team performance today. We helped each other to win the game. There were some moments where we needed a little bit of luck, but I’m very happy with our performance.” said long-time centre-back Mats Hummels.
“It was a very satisfying and very mature performance.”
Having already lost and drawn against PSG in the group stages this season, Dortmund can still dream of returning to Wembley, 11 years after their last Champions League final.
However, despite this setback, PSG will remain confident of overturning the deficit next week when they take on the team they completely defeated at their home venue in September.
“The Parc (PSG’s stadium) and the supporters give us hope for the second leg and we know we can do better,” PSG captain Marquinhos told Canal.
Dortmund coach Edin Terzic said before the match that PSG had been “built to win the Champions League” since Qatar took over 10 years ago.
What could be more of a contrast between the two clubs than PSG’s world superstar Mbappe, playing his final season with his hometown club, and Dortmund striker Verkrug, a journeyman who was playing in the second division this time two years ago? There was nothing special about it.
Dortmund, backed by an enthusiastic home crowd who booed and whistled every time Mbappe took a touch, were at their best in the early stages, with Jadon Sancho shining on the right.
Dortmund had a chance to take the lead in the 14th minute when Marcel Sabitzer fired straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma from a narrow angle.
The first goal came in the 36th minute thanks to some great old-school forward play from Verkrug.
Center back Schlotterbeck held the ball well in his own half and thought of playing a safe pass back to the keeper, but instead he punted forward, leaving only Fürkrug with the idea.
The striker controlled the ball with one touch and fired a low shot past a helpless Donnarumma.
PSG, who just won the Ligue 1 title at the weekend, were given few chances and had zero shots on target despite a prolific attack in the first half.
But the visitors came alive after half-time, with Mbappé rattling inside one post and seconds earlier former Dortmund wing-back Achraf Hakimi rattling inside the other post.
PSG should have equalized in the 56th minute. Marquinhos curled a beautiful pass into Dortmund’s crowded box, but Fabian Ruiz’s diving header went wide.
Fellow Dortmund player Ousmane Dembele fired a shot in front of the goal with 10 minutes remaining.
The impressive Sancho played a fine pass to Julian Brandt with just minutes remaining, but Dortmund’s hopes for a second goal were dashed by PSG’s frantic defending.
This victory, along with Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in the other semi-final on Tuesday, guarantees Germany, rather than England or France, an additional Champions League spot next season.
With this, Dortmund have already secured their place for next season.
