PSG - Borussia Dortmund summary: score, goals and highlights, Champions League

Real Madrid host Bayern Munich in Wednesday's semi-final second leg

Be sure to join us here on AS USA to discover who will face Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley! 

Real Madrid host Bayern Munich after the teams played out a 2-2 draw in Bavaria last week.

Kick-off is at 3pm ET /12pm PT, with build-up starting a couple of hours earlier. 

Can stats be misleading?

xG can be a useful tool to know which team created the better opportunities when you've not watched the game. Although this suggests PSG were banging down the door and creating chance after chance, which I'm not sure was totally true. 

Kylian Mbappé's last Champions League game for PSG...

His next club hasn't been officially confirmed, although the widespread belief is he's off to Real Madrid. Some in Paris haven't given up hope of persuading him to stay. 

Either way, he won't have wanted it to end like this. 

PSG's Champions League wait goes on

It's apparently less of a priority for PSG than it previously was, but they are still desperate to win the Champions League for the first time, let's be honest. The wait goes on for at least another year. 

Another Champions League final at Wembley for Dortmund

11 years ago, Dortmund were beaten by Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at Wembley. Now, they could have a chance for revenge against their German rivals at the same venue, although Real Madrid will certainly have something to say about it. 

Who saw that coming when the Champions League began at the start of the season? 

Full-time: PSG 0-1 Dortmund (0-2 on aggregate)

DORTMUND ARE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL!

Mbappé is played clean through on goal...and falls flat on his face! That's how it's gone for PSG tonight. 

Schlotterbeck suddenly finds himself counterattacking at the PSG corner flag and is blatantly barged over by Beraldo, but no foul is given. 

Mbappé wants a penalty! He looks to be clean through but Schlotterbeck puts him under pressure... nothing given!

Four minutes for PSG to get two goals to force extra time. 

Four minutes of injury time. 

Barcola gets away down the left and has Mbappé and Dembélé in the middle, but overhits the ball in. 

Lee shoots just wide!

Non-stop pressure from PSG! The ball comes to Lee on the edge of the box but it flies just wide!

Vitinha rattles the bar!

Another one off the frame of the goal! It's still shaking from that long-ranger from Vitinha!

Hakimi booked

Hakimi was indeed booked for that incident with Schlotterbeck. 

Kobel flapped at a high ball, which fell to Mbappé in the box. He didn't connect properly though, he might've scored if he had. 

Mbappé hits the bar!

But he should've scored! 

Dortmund substitution

While we wait for clarification, Nmecha has replaced Brandt for the last few minutes. 

A yellow card did seem to be branded but nobody is sure who for. 

A flashpoint on the touchline as Hakimi and Schlotterback clash. Poor from the PSG right-back, who shoved the Dortmund defender over when he was already down. 

PSG chance!

From the free-kick, Marquinhos gets his head to it but can only divert it past the post!

Schlotterbeck rattles into Lee Kang-in, wins the ball...but a free-kick is given. Looked fair to me.

Since I said PSG had to wake up, they have woken up a bit!

Mbappé chance!

Mbappé gets in behind for the very first time! But he's at a tight angle and can't squeeze the ball past Kobel!

A corner from the left falls to Asensio, who completely miskicks his first effort and then has a second strike blocked. 

Brilliant defending from Dortmund. As it has been all game. 

Barcola has a shot blocked, Vitinha has a shot blocked, Mendes has a shot blocked...

You get the idea. 

PSG seriously need to wake up here. They're going out with a whimper. 

Dortmund goal ruled out!

PSG are living dangerously! Hummels has the ball in the net again from a corner...although it's well offside. 

PSG substitution

Lee Kang-in replaces Zaïre-Emery for the French. 

Dembélé yellow card

Dembélé absolutely flies into a tackle on Schlotterbeck and is lucky he got a touch on the ball...

That could've been a red otherwise. 

Mbappé picks the ball up in a typical "Mbappé position" and...curls the ball well over the bar. 

Mbappé, now playing more centrally, is played into the right-hand channel and fires the ball into a dangerous area...no takers!

There's not much in the way of inspiration from the hosts at the moment. They're very, very flat. 

PSG need a spark from somewhere. Anywhere. 

Dortmund substitution

No mystery about what Dortmund are planning for the last quarter. Centre-back Süle replaces winger Sancho. 

Hummels yellow card

Hummels was booked, by the way, for that foul on Dembélé. 

Asensio shoots low, but that was poor. Easily blocked and cleared. 

This could still be a big chance for Asensio from the free-kick.

The referee thought out...and VAR concurs!

Dembélé goes down...! In the box or out?!

Sabitzer yellow card

Barcola immediately makes an impact, winning a foul (and a yellow card) from Sabitzer as he broke away. 

PSG substitutions

Double change for PSG

Barcola and Asensioon for Ramos and Fabián. 

PSG chance!

Another sight of goal for Ramos, who shoots over again. That one went wide too. Not pretty, anyway. 

A CRUCIAL header from Can! Mbappé whipped in a brilliant cross, but the Dortmund skipper was well-placed to deal with it. 

Mendes hits the post!

Out of nowhere from the edge of the box!

PSG chance!

A decent opportunity for the hosts! Hakimi picks the ball up on the edge of the box and plays it across to Ramos, who shoots over first time when he probably should've done better!

Reus doing some Adeyemi-like tracking back to thwart Hakimi. He might need to do more of that. 

Dortmund are doing so, so well to keep Mbappé a bay. Whenever he picks up possession, there are two yellow jerseys right on top of him. 

PSG passing the ball about with no real purpose at the moment. That goal has taken the sting out of them. What little sting they had. 

That does seem a bit of an odd decision from Terzic. Adeyemi had been working well both offensively and defensively. 

Dortmund substitution

Adeyemi off. On comes Marco Reus, who will be leaving the club at the end of the season after 12 years. 

Is that Kylian Mbappé back defending in his own box? Or is the mist from the flares affecting my vision? 

A few more crosses into the box from the hosts but no real sign of danger. 

PSG had started the half brightly, too...

Wow! What do PSG have in their locker?

PSG 0-1 Dortmund (0-2 on aggregate)

Well, that's as simple as you like! Brandt floats a corner to the back post to Hummels, who rises above everyone to head past Donnarumma!

Adeyemi tries to get past Marquinhos at the misty end of the Parc des Princes, and wins a corner...

Zaïre-Emery hits the post!

PSG have made a rapid start! Ryerson does well to stick Hakimi's dangerous cross out for a corner. But from it, Ramos flicks the ball on for Zaïre-Emery, who has an open goal at the far post but can only hit the upright from a tight angle!

There is some serious flare work going on behind one of the goals. It looks toasty in there. 

Second half underway!

Dortmund get us going again in Paris!

PSG's group-stage template

In the group-stage game between the teams, PSG won 2-0 thanks to two goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half from Mbappé and Hakimi. 

What they'd give for a repeat here. 

PSG 0-0 Dortmund (0-1 on aggregate): half-time thoughts

It’s gone exactly the way Dortmund would’ve wanted. They’ve soaked up pressure, defended superbly and restricted PSG to next to nothing.

The Germans have got bodies around Mbappé, who has been extremely quiet out on the left, with most of the hosts’ attacking threat coming on the opposite flank with the more erratic Dembélé and Hakimi.

PSG have had a few shots from distance but nothing that has overly troubled Kobel.

Dortmund haven’t been especially threatening either, but they did create the best chance of the half, Adeyemi forcing a brilliant stop from Donnarumma at the end of a lightning counterattack.

Perfectly poised for the second half.

PSG and Mbappé kept at bay

The hosts have had most of the possession but have struggled to create anything of note. Nothing from inside the box, anyway. I thought Dortmund's xG might be a little higher considering Adeyemi's chance, but what do I know...?

Dortmund halfway to Champions League final

A surprisingly low-key first half, but Dortmund will take it!

Mbappé has been quiet and PSG have rarely threatened Gregor Kobel. 45 minutes to go. 

Half-time: Paris Saint-Germain 0-0 Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund still lead 1-0 on aggregate. They'll be delighted with how that half went!

One minute of injury time. 

PSG go close!

That could have gone anywhere! Dortmund lose the ball careless and it drops to Fabián, who blasts one from the edge of the box. It cannons off Schlotterbeck and out for a corner, but it could easily have flown into the top corner. 

A lovely flick from Maatsen gets the ball through the legs of Zaïre-Emery. One for the YouTube highlight reel rather than the match recap, though, as he then loses the ball. 

That was a big chance for Brandt to set Adeyemi away in behind Hakimi. A poor pass, though. 

Vitinha shot saved!

Vitinha has had enough and shoots from almost 30 yards! He caught it well but it's straight at Kobel. 

Mbappé gets past Ryerson for the first time but can only dig out a cross into the hands of Kobel. 

Fair play, Kylian Mbappé, who stepped in to defuse the situation. The PSG star told Dortmund he wouldn't be chasing them down and that they could play the ball out. 

A little bit of controversy here. Dortmund kicked the ball out for Füllkrug to get treatment (he's OK, surprise, surprise). Ramos returned it to them, but put it out for a throw-in near their corner flag. Naughty boy. 

Füllkrug is down for Dortmund after taking a bang on the head, by the looks of it. 

Great save Donnarumma!

That could be HUGE! Seconds after the ball is scrambled away from Mbappé in the Dortmund box, the Germans race upfield through Adeyemi, who charges into the area and shoots low, only for Donnarumma to stick out a big hand to keep it out!

The best chance we've had so far!

Can launches a hopeful ball into the channel which forces Donnarumma off his line, with Sabitzer hoping to pounce on a mistake. 

PSG chance!

Mbappé finally comes to life! He drifts in from the right and links up with Zaïre-Emery, who finds Dembélé. The winger shoots from an angle but can't keep it down!

A few delightful touches from Sancho, which admittedly didn't lead to anything, but they looked great. Silky stuff from the winger. 

That's careless from Ryerson. Dortmund were building a promising-looking attack but the right-back took his eye off the bal, let it slip under his foot and out for a throw. Oops. 

Vitinha blazes over

Vitinha tries to change that but curls one high, wide and not very handsome from 25 yards. 

A quiet opening 25 minutes for Gregor Kobel in the Dortmund goal. Probably more so than he imagined. 

Not happening for Mbappé so far. He tries to get past Ryerson but overruns the ball, which goes out for a goal kick. 

Mendes gets forward for the first time but Hummels is on hand to mop up his low cross. 

PSG fans' display

The best of the action from the stands! Top stuff from the PSG display team. 

Definitely a more even feel to the game in the last few minutes. All of PSG's attacks are coming down the right flank. Mbappé is on the left...

Dembélé skips down the right and absolutely rifles a cross across the face of goal, which would've taken someone's head off if they'd connected with it. 

That was a good old-fashioned long throw that led to that Dortmund chance. You don't see that much these days, especially in the Champions League. 

Dortmund chance!

Ryerson smashes into the side netting from a tight angle after good hold-up play from Füllkrug!

A brilliant bit of wing play from Sancho! He skips by Mendes and into the box, but his cross is blocked. 

Mendes picks up possession inside his own half and spots Dembélé racing away down the right, but his pass is just too far ahead of the winger and Kobel collects. 

We've not seen too much of Mbappé so far. PSG will be hoping that changes soon. 

Ryerson gets forward for the first time and charges into the box, but Fabián picks his pocket at the crucial moment. 

Dortmund knocking the ball about for the first time in the game. They've done a lot of chasing so far. 

PSG chance!

Vitinha fizzes a pass into Ramos, who takes a touch, spins and drags a shot wide from the edge of the box!

Dortmund's first threat!

The ball breaks to Adeyemi at the edge of the box and his volley clips a PSG head on the way over!

Almost a chance for Adeyemi to break through! Marquinhos intercepts and shuffles it back to Donnarumma, who doesn't mess about and sticks it out for a throw. 

The anti-sweeper-keeper there!

Mbappé looks to get in behind for the first time but Ryerson has his wits about him and cuts out the pass. 

Dortmund have barely had the ball inside the PSG half. In fact, they've barely had it at all. 

Proper defending from the front there from Ramos, whose taking his responsibilities very seriously. You wouldn't have seen Messi or Neymar doing that...

Mbappé effort

Dembélé gets a second bite at the corner and his delivery loops up to Mbappé, whose first-time volley is straight at Kobel!

Good backtracking from Adeyemi but Dembélé wins a corner, the first for PSG. 

Hakimi gets away down the right again and fizzes in another cross, which Kobel takes the sting out of and claims. 

One easy claim apiece for either goalkeeper. 

Hakimi crosses from the left to Ramos, who's in space but can on prod it into the arms of Kobel on the stretch.

All the early possession for PSG so far. 

A first touch for Donnarumma, who can stick his cap (if he had one) on Füllkrug's header from Maatsen's free-kick into the box. 

A draw is enough for Dortmund to get through to the final at Wembley on 1 June.

PSG need a two-goal win to progress.

Anything in the middle and we'll be going long. 

Marquinhos hoofs the first ball high into the Paris night sky. That wasn't very Champions League...

First half underway in Paris!

PSG get us going!

Ready? We're seconds away!

Remember, by the way, suspension rules are not the only thing that has changed in the competition in recent years. A very important update here related to away goals...or the lack of them. 

Champions League anthem time!

The Chaaaaaaampioooooooons! 

You know how it goes. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

What are the suspension rules for the Champions League semi-finals and final? Do yellow cards count?

By the way, there are new suspension rules (how exciting!) for the Champions semi-finals and final. And it's good news for the men out on the field. 

Here's more. 

Please forgive me in advance if I ever forget the dots over the 'u' in 'Füllkrug'... 

Dortmund team to play PSG

Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Füllkrug.

PSG team to play Dortmund

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Fabián; Dembélé, Ramos, Mbappé.

A few minutes until go-time! Let's take another look at how the teams will line up!

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Who is Daniele Orsato, PSG-Dortmund Champions League referee?

Daniele Orsato is the man in the middle for the game in Manchester. He’ll probably be hoping you don’t remember his name tomorrow, because if you do, he’ll have had a howler. Here’s Paul with the lowdown on the Italian whistler.

PSG duo Dembélé and Hakimi face former club

There are two players in the PSG team who will be looking to get one over on their former club.

Right-back Achraf Hakimi spent two seasons on loan in Germany when he was a youngster at Real Madrid, scoring nine goals - incredibly enough - in 2019/20.

Teammate Ousmane Dembélé, meanwhile, spent just a season (2016/17) in Dortmund but made quite an impact, winning the DFB-Pokal and convincing Barcelona to splash out a reported €105 million ($113.17 million) plus €40 million ($43.11 million) in add-ons (and you wonder why the Catalans have financial problems…).

A nice little subplot for you, anyway. 

Kick-off fast approaching!

A little over 10 minutes to go until kick-off! Who've you got for this one? I've got a hunch PSG are going to do it...

Luis Enrique’s Champions League pedigree

Luis Enrique does, of course, know what it feels like to lift Old Big Ears. He was in charge for Barcelona’s most recent Champions League victory, which came all the back in 2015. The MSN (Messi, Suárez, Neymar) had a little something to do with that one.

I’m struggling to fit Gonçalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembélé, and Kylian Mbappé into an acronym (ROK is the best I’ve come up with).

Borussia Dortmund: Champions League in numbers

Appearances: 16 (including 2023/24)

Group stage: 4

Round of 16: 4

Quarter-finals: 4

Semi-finals: 2 (including 2023/24)

Runners-up: 1

Winners: 1

Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League

Is there a case to be made for Borussia Dortmund being the one of the best teams of the 2010s who didn’t win the Champions League? That was my hunch, although a little bit of research tells me the Germans weren’t quite as successful as I’d remembered.

Jürgen Klopp's BVB were beaten in the final by Bayern Munich in 2013 and reached the quarter-finals on just a couple of occasions, which they have since equalled this decade.

Of course, they won the competition in just their fifth appearance (UCL/European Cup) in 1996/97, upsetting favourites Juventus in the final in Munich.

PSG: Champions League in numbers

Appearances: 16 (including 2023/24)

Group stage: 3

Round of 16: 5

Quarter-finals: 4

Semi-finals: 3 (including 2023/24)

Runners-up: 1

PSG's Champions League hoodoo

Plenty has been made of the fact PSG seem to have some kind of Champions League knockout jinx.

4-0 up from the first leg against Barcelona in the round of 16 in 2017, they went and lost 6-1 at Camp Nou. Two years later, they convincing won 2-0 at Manchester United, only to lose 3-1 at home and go out on away goals. In 2022, they were 2-0 ahead and in total control against Real Madrid with 30 minutes of the tie remaining, only to concede three times in quick succession.

And the one year they did manage to navigate their way through the knockout stages to the final, no fans were able to witness it due to covid-19 (and they lost in the showpiece game to Bayern Munich).

That final and two semi-finals (1994/95 and 2020/21) are their best achievements in the Champions League to date.

Gregor Kobel key for Dortmund

A clean sheet in Paris and Dortmund are through, simple as that. 

Facing off against Kylian Mbappé, however, is a bit less simple. This man, Gregor Kobel, could be in for a big night. 

Dortmund coach Terzic: "Paris will be better than last week"

"You have to earn your way to Wembley. All we need now is a draw in the second leg, but we also want to win. We have a small lead and a good opportunity. We have to do everything together - with a good plan, with a good idea. Paris will certainly be better than last week. We want to earn this ticket to the final. We will tackle that together."

Luis Enrique's simple but effective French

"The goal is to reach the final, and to do that we have to be better than a great team like Dortmund. There is always room for improvement and we have worked on it. Two goals can be scored in three seconds, but we can also concede two goals in that time. 'On va gagner'. It's the only phrase I know in French: We are going to win."

PSG - Borussia Dortmund: previous meetings

May 2024: Dortmund 1-0 PSG

December 2023: Dortmund 1-1 PSG

September 2023: PSG 2-0 Dortmund

March 2020: PSG 2-0 Dortmund

February 2020: Dortmund 2-1 PSG

November 2010: PSG 0-0 Dortmund

October 2010: Dortmund 1-1 PSG

PSG - Dortmund in the 2023/24 group stage

Group stage MD1: PSG 2-0 Dortmund

Group stage MD6: Dortmund 1-1 PSG

Had the feeling PSG and Dortmund had played each other a few times already this season? You’re not wrong. Before last week’s first leg, they had already faced off twice in Group F,with the French enjoying the upper hand.

Second-half goals from Mbappé and Hakimi got PSG off to a strong start on matchday one, although the tables had turned by the last round of games.

Dortmund had already qualified for the round of 16 going into matchday six, while the Parisians needed a point to join them. Things looked ominous when Karim Adeyemi put BVB in front, although Warren Zaïre-Emery’s swift equaliser did the job for Luis Enrique’s side (and was crucial after Milan won in Newcastle).

BVB edge Atleti in quarter-final thriller

Quarter-final, 1st leg: Atlético Madrid 2-1 Dortmund

Quarter-final, 2nd leg: Dortmund 4-2 Atlético Madrid (5-4 on aggregate)

Dortmund looked down and out twice in this tie but somewhat turned things back around at Signal Iduna Park, roared on by a vociferous home crowd. Füllkrug and Sabitzer's goals in the final 20 minutes did the business. 

Dortmund dispose of PSV in the round of 16

Round of 16, 1st leg: PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Dortmund

Round of 16, 2nd leg: Dortmund 2-0 PSV Eindhoven (3-1 on aggregate)

The Germans saw off PSV with relatively little fuss in the round of 16, goals from Sancho and Reus in Dortmund sealing a quarter-final spot. 

Borussia Dortmund’s 2023/24 Champions League results: group stage

Group stage MD1: PSG 2-0 Dortmund

Group stage MD2: Dortmund 0-0 AC Milan

Group stage MD3: Newcastle 0-1 Dortmund

Group stage MD4: Dortmund 2-0 Newcastle

Group stage MD5: AC Milan 1-3 Dortmund

Group stage MD6: Dortmund 1-1 PSG

Dortmund in the 2023/24 Champions League group stage

BVB did the almost unthinkable and topped the Group of Death.

PSG, Newcastle and AC Milan were drawn alongside Terzic’s side in a group that instantly captivated football fans around the globe and earned itself the deadly label on the spot. 

Three wins, two draws and a loss was enough to see them beat PSG to top spot and avoid a potentially catastrophic draw in the Round of 16.

Round 5 in the group saw PSG draw with Newcastle while Dortmund defeated Milan 1-3, practically sealing their passage and calming the nerves after a shaky start that saw them defeated by the French side.

PSG's Barcelona "remontada"

Quarter-final, 1st leg: PSG 2-3 Barcelona

Quarter-final, 2nd leg: Barcelona 1-4 PSG (4-6 on aggregate)

Barcelona were 3-1 up in the tie until Ronald Araújo was sent off in Catalonia, which preceded three PSG goals. 

Mbappé downs Real Sociedad in the round of 16

Round of 16, 1st leg: PSG 2-0 Real Sociedad

Round of 16, 2nd leg: Real Sociedad 1-2 PSG (1-4 on aggregate)

Three goals for Mbappé as PSG cruised against the Basque side. 

PSG’s 2023-24 Champions League results: group stage

Group stage MD1: PSG 2-0 Dortmund

Group stage MD2: Newcastle 4-1 PSG

Group stage MD3: PSG 3-0 AC Milan

Group stage MD4: AC Milan 2-1 PSG

Group stage MD5: PSG 1-1 Newcastle

Group stage MD6: Dortmund 1-1 PSG

PSG in the 2023/24 Champions League group stage

But for a goal here or there, PSG’s Champions League campaign could’ve been over months ago. Luis Enrique’s boys only just squeaked out of Group F, although it was this year’s so-called “Group of Death” alongside AC Milan, Newcastle United and…Dortmund.

The Germans’ three victories and 11 points sealed top spot, with the French and Italians tied on eight points from six matches. PSG went through by virtue of having a better head-to-head record in games against Milan, winning 3-0 in Paris before losing 2-1 at San Siro.

PSG x EA Sports crossover

I was wondering why it was taking the official PSG account so long to "officially" post the starting lineup, but now I know why...

Names on a graphic just wasn't enough, was it?

PSG looking sharp ahead of Champions League tie

If this was a fashion contest, it'd be game over already.

The PSG boys are looking sharp. They'll have to carry that over onto the field, though (maybe ditch the dress shoes). 

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

When is PSG - Borussia Dortmund? Times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Champions League

Still looking for a way to watch today's game? Fear not! There is a way, and here's Fidel to explain what it is. 

You can also watch a PSG vs Dortmund live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial

PSG team to play Dortmund

And here's PSG! Ramos preferred in attack to Kolo-Muani and Barcola, who started the first leg. Beraldo replaces the stricken Hernandez.

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Fabián; Dembélé, Ramos, Mbappé.

Borussia Dortmund team to play PSG

Dortmund go first! No surprises. 

Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Can; Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi; Füllkrug.

Borussia Dortmund: last five games

4 May: Dortmund 5-1 Augsburg (Bundesliga)

1 May: Dortmund 1-0 PSG (Champions League)

27 April: RB Leipzig 4-1 Dortmund (Bundesliga)

21 April: Dortmund 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)

16 April: Dortmund 4-2 Atlético Madrid (Champions League)

Dortmund down Bayern, Atleti and PSG

After four Bundesliga wins in a row in March, Dortmund’s domestic form has been pretty patchy of late, taking seven points from the last 15 on offer.

They have, though, had some big wins in the last few weeks, including home Champions League triumphs over Atlético Madrid and PSG, as well as a victory away to Bayern Munich in the league. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

What is the Champions League format change for 2024/25?

In case you missed it, by the way, the Champions League will have a new format next season, which is all explained here. Four extra teams will take part in the group stage, including two from the best performing countries in European competitions in 2023/24, which have been confirmed as Italy and Germany.

This how it's all going to work.Say goodbye to the Champions League as you know (knew) it. 

Borussia Dortmund's 2024/25 UCL spot confirmed

Borussia Dortmund have been Champions League regulars over the years and, despite not having a great season domestically, will qualify for next year's competition after it was confirmed Germany would get a fifth place in the revamped UCL in 2024/25.

BVB are currently in fifth spot in the Bundesliga with two games to play and can’t be caught be sixth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt. They could still overtake RB Leipzig in fourth, although it matters little, in truth.

The top five from Germany and Italy are in, with England and Spain having to settle for four. 

Dortmund arrive at the Parc des Princes

If anyone ever spots a video of players actually speaking to each other as they arrive for a game, please send it my way.

Like diamond in an avalanche. 

PSG: last five games

1 May: Dortmund 1-0 PSG (Champions League)

27 April: PSG 3-3 Le Havre (Ligue 1)

24 April: Lorient 1-4 PSG (Ligue 1)

21 April: PSG 4-1 Lyon (Ligue 1)

16 April: Barcelona 1-4 PSG (Champions League)

PSG's slump after long unbeaten run

After a slow start to Luis Enrique’s tenure, PSG went on a 27-game unbeaten run, which was ended by Barcelona at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of the quarter-finals.

But their recent record since then hasn’t been great, with just three wins, two draws and two defeats in seven fixtures in all competitions.

PSG bidding for quadruple

Once upon a time, Ligue 1 was one of the most unpredictable leagues in Europe, if not the most glamorous, perhaps. Between 1992 and 2002, there were eight different winners, while there were also six different champions in a row between 2008 and 2013.

By then, though, PSG had come into big bucks and their dominance began, which has led to them winning 10 of the last 12 titles (they’ve still managed to mess a couple up, which they really shouldn’t have done).

Luis Enrique’s team secured top spot with three games to spare after Monaco lost at Lyon at the end of April, although winning the league was a minimum requirement.

They could, however, win a quadruple, which would be rather more impressive. That would, of course, include the Champions League, along with the Trophée des Champions (a kind of French Super Cup) and the Coupe de France (you can probably translate that yourselves), which they will play the final of against Lyon on 25 May.

Champions League atmosphere building in Paris!

Ever fancied attending a Champions League semi-final? Here's a little taste of the atmosphere in Paris right now, courtesy of PSG's social media channels. It's going to be fiery inside the Parc des Princes, I can promise you that!

Sancho rediscovering best form

I didn't mention Jadon Sancho in that last post, but he could also have a big part to play in Paris! It's not worked out for him (or anyone else) at Manchester United, but he's shown what he's capable of once again since re-joining Dortmund on loan in January. 

And could we see him take what is a fairly random Champions League record at the Parc des Princes?

No Lewy, no Haaland, no Bellingham: Borussia Dortmund’s team effort

With no Robert Lewandowski, no Erling Haaland and no Jude Bellingham, I don’t think it’s too controversial to say this Dortmund team doesn’t quite have the same star power as others in recent seasons.

The Germans know a clean sheet will send them through and will be looking for the impressive Gregor Kobel and the experienced Mats Hummels to help them achieve it. But with Mbappé and Dembélé in opposition ranks, they know they will likely have to score in Paris if they are to progress.

Luckily for them, coach Edin Terzic has plenty of useful attacking options, both in the starting line-up and on the bench, with winger Donyell Malen (14 goals) joining Füllkrug (15) in double figures this season. Julian Brandt (nine), Marco Reus (eight), Youssoufa Moukoko and Marcel Sabitzer (both six) have also chipped in when required.

Champions League or WWE?

It looks as if UEFA have gone all WWE on us. Who's actually coming out of there? Are PSG and Dortmund going to be ambushed before they can make their way down to the ring...sorry, the field? That could be a way to shake things up in the future if we feel the Champions League is getting a bit stale (not that we ever would, obviously). 

Kylian Mbappé's Champions League record

I’m not exactly sticking my neck out by saying Mbappé is PSG’s key man/player to watch, but his record in the competition means he’s hard to ignore. In case you’ve been living on the moon, you’ll be aware the 25-year-old is leaving Paris in the summer, probably for Real Madrid.

Mbappé has scored 48 goals in 72 games in the Champions League, including 42 in 63 appearances for PSG. Only three players have scored 40 UCL goals faster than the France captain, who did it in 59 games.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (obviously) leads the way on 35 matches, followed by PSV and Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy (45) and Karim Benzema (57) of Lyon and Real Madrid.

In case you’re wondering, Lionel Messi needed 61 games and slow coach Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer in the competition, 82.

Inside the PSG dressing room

Of course, it wouldn't be a big game - or a game of any kind - without us getting a glimpse inside the dressing room of either team on social media. First PSG, who have look to have further confirmed that Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi are the best of buds. 

Team news: Borussia Dortmund

Defender Ramy Bensebaïni is the only real first-team absentee because of ankle ligament damage. 17-year-old Belgian attacker Julien Duranville is also injured but is very much seen as one for the future rather than the present anyway.

Lucas Hernandez suffers second ACL tear in 18 months

Former Bayern Munich defender Hernandez has been having plenty of luck of late, only it’s been all bad. He tore his ACL in his left knee in France’s opening 2022 World Cup game against Australia, which kept him out for the rest of last season.

Now, he’s suffered the same injury to the other knee, which will force him to miss Euro 2024 and a potential Champions League final. Injury hell.

Team news: PSG

Luis Enrique’s only casualties are in defence.

Presnel Kimpembé has been out since February 2023 with an achilles problem and remains absent. He has been joined in the treatment room by Lucas Hernandez, who ruptured his ACL in the first leg in Dortmund, which means we won’t see him for a good while.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Borussia Dortmund - PSG summary: score, goals and highlights | Champions League

My esteemed colleague Will Gittins was all over that first leg at the Signal Iduna Park/BVB Stadion Dortmund/Westfalenstadion (all bases covered). If my little recap wasn't enough for you, hopefully this more detailed reportwill be. 

Füllkrug strike decides entertaining first leg in Dortmund

Anyway, time for some Dortmund against PSG. Missed the first leg? Fear not, here’s a little recap!

A pulsating game in Germany could quite easily have gone either way. Paris Saint-Germain had plenty of the ball and exerted plenty of pressure, but somehow failed to find the net in the second half. Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi hit the frame of the goal within seconds of one another, while Gregor Kobel made a hugely important save to keep out Ousmane Dembélé.

By then, the French side were already a goal down, as Niclas Füllkrug casually raced in behind the defence and blasted past Gianluigi Donnarumma. The big striker should have buried another chance later in the game but somehow blasted over from close range, leaving both teams with tinges of regret come the final whistle.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Where and when is the 2023-24 Champions League final being played?

To get some admin out of the way...this season's Champions League final will be played at Wembley Stadium in London. Feel like a lot of big games have been played there fairly recently? You're not wrong...

Andy and Calum join forces to bring you more.

Live text coverage of Real Madrid - Bayern Munich on AS USA

We will, of course, also be bringing you live coverage of that Real Madrid against Bayern Munich second leg at the Bernabéu tomorrow (Wednesday), with the tie on a knife edge after a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Bavaria.

You don’t need me to tell you to set a reminder for that one.

2023/24 Champions League semi-finals, second-leg schedule

Tuesday 7 May

Paris Saint-Germain - Borussia Dortmund (0-1 on aggregate), 3pm ET / 12pm ET

Wednesday 8 May

Real Madrid - Bayern Munich (2-2 on aggregate), 3pm ET / 12pm ET

2023/24 Champions League semi-finals, first-leg results

Tuesday 30 April

Bayern Munich 2-2 Real Madrid

Wednesday 1 May

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain

What time does PSG against Borussia Dortmund kick off? 

It’s Roddy here to take you through the action as it unfolds. The game in Paris gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which is 3:00 p.m. ET and 12:00 a.m. PT.

Early/extended lunch breaks all round!

Hello and welcome to live text coverage of PSG - Borussia Dortmund!

Hello and welcome to AS USA’s live text coverage of the second leg Paris Saint-Germain against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-finals.

A 1-0 first-leg victory for the Germans means Kylian Mbappé and Co have work to do at the Parc des Princes to set up a UCL final against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, who complete their last-four tie on Wednesday.