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Tonight, the Parisians will take to the stage at Signal Iduna Park to face Dortmund’s Yellow Wall. Luis Enrique can dream of a historic treble, while Dortmund owes much to Marco Reus. Here’s the pre-match analysis from Beirut.
Paris Dreams Big
With an impressive momentum, Paris Saint-Germain, brimming with confidence after sidelining FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals and clinching the French league title, has one goal in mind: to sweep everything. With the return of key players like Marquinhos, Hakimi and Zaïre-Emery, Luis Enrique has plenty to work with in terms of strategy.
The Spanish coach has once again emphasized, as in previous rounds, the management of pressure and stress that have affected the club in previous Champions League editions.
It’s a golden opportunity for Paris Saint-Germain as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund, currently 5th in the Bundesliga. PSG has already outperformed the Germans in the group stage earlier in the European campaign, with a 2-0 victory at Parc des Princes in September and a 1-1 draw in the return match in December. They also had the upper hand in the round of 16 in 2020 with scores of 2-0 and 2-1.
The Champions League final is within reach for Parisians who have been dreaming of this moment for a long time, thanks to the team’s cohesion this year. Unlike previous seasons, PSG’s leaders have emphasized the collective, rather than a single star like Kylian Mbappé. Even though they have not openly displayed an obsession with the Champions League, missing out on the final at Wembley would inevitably be a disappointment for them.
Barcola and Vitinha, PSG’s Young Prodigies
Throughout the season, the attacking trio of Barcola-Mbappé-Dembélé has made the difference by stretching opposing defenses and catching them off guard. Their impact is particularly remarkable at this crucial stage of the season, as Paris still aims for the treble: League (already secured), French Cup and Champions League.
As for Vitinha, Kylian Mbappé’s shift to the number 9 position under Luis Enrique’s guidance has had a direct impact on the former Lyon player’s performance. With Mbappé up front at 21 years old, Barcola has become the natural counterpart to Ousmane Dembélé on the left wing.
Dortmund Is Also a Giant
Borussia Dortmund is preparing with unwavering determination to face Paris Saint-Germain. Their current position in the Bundesliga, as the fifth-ranked team, provides a solid foundation to build upon. Aware of previous encounters in the Champions League group stage, where PSG has already outclassed them, they are meticulously analyzing past mistakes to adjust their strategy.
On the field, the German team adopts a disciplined tactical approach, highlighting their speed and agility to counter opponents’ attacks. The defense is well-organized, with constant communication among players to counter the dynamic movements of Parisian attackers.
In attack, Dortmund relies on the creativity of its midfielders and the precision of its forwards to unsettle the opposing defense. Their fast and direct play can surprise opponents and create goal-scoring opportunities.
Last Chance for Marco Reus
At 34 years old and approaching the end of his contract at the end of the season, Marco Reus finds himself at a crucial juncture in his sporting career. Despite past injuries, he still has the ability to shine on the field and contribute to his team’s success. The match against PSV Eindhoven represents another opportunity for Reus to leave his mark before potentially leaving the club this summer. For Marco Reus and loyal Borussia Dortmund supporters, this match holds immense importance. They hope that this iconic player can deliver a memorable performance and help the team qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals before potentially turning the page on this unforgettable period of his career that will remain etched in the club’s annals forever.
Probable Line-Ups
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson, Schlotterbeck, Hummels, Maatsen – Sabitzer, Can (c) – Sancho, Brandt, Adeyemi – Füllkrug
Coach: Edin Terzic (GER)
Paris SG: Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos (c), Hernandez, Mendes – Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz – Dembélé, Mbappé, Barcola
Coach: Luis Enrique (ESP)
Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
Pre-Match Press:
On Tuesday at the Signal Iduna Park press conference in Dortmund, Luis Enrique stated, “Pressure should not be seen as a threat,” “blessed be pressure.” Before asking his players to enjoy, he said, “We are arriving at the perfect moment of the season.”
Edin Terzic, stated, “We have proven in other matches such as against Atlético or in Munich against Bayern, we have played big games, we have shown our qualities, and we will show them again tonight as well as next week.”
