The highly anticipated second semi-final match of the UEFA Champions League is set to take place between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at the iconic Signa Iduna Park. This match is expected to be a nail-biting encounter for both teams, as a place in the finals is on the line.
Borussia Dortmund, who overcame Atletico Madrid 5-4 on aggregate in a chaotic quarter-final tie, will be looking to win this season’s competition to secure the Champions League qualification for 2024/25. However, they suffered a 4-1 defeat against RB Leipzig in their last match, which might have affected their confidence going into tonight’s game.
On the other hand, PSG, who won 4-1 against Barcelona in their quarter-final, were confirmed as Ligue 1 champions over the weekend. They are expected to bring their winning momentum into tonight’s first leg against Dortmund. PSG has a star-studded lineup with players like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, and Angel Di Maria, who can change the course of the game in an instant.
This will be the third time both teams are facing each other this season, having been paired together in Group F at the beginning of the campaign. PSG won comfortably on home soil before drawing in Dortmund to proceed to the knockouts. Dortmund will be looking to avenge their previous losses and come out on top this time.
In terms of team news, Dortmund will be without Ramy Bensebaini due to a knee injury and Sebastien Haller because of an ankle issue. Mats Hummels is expected to be fit for tonight’s game despite carrying a knock, which is a big relief for the Dortmund defence. Meanwhile, Donyell Malen might not start due to a thigh injury, but he could make Edin Terzic’s matchday squad.
Head to Head: With both teams meeting previously in the group stage, it is safe to say that there is much more at stake this time around. In the last 4 meetings in the UCL, PSG have won twice and drawn once. However, Dortmund has a formidable home record, having won all but one of their home games in the competition this season.
Predictions: The frenzy at the Signa Iduna Park should be a morale boost for the home side, but the experience and grit of PSG should also come into play. It could be a closely contested match with both teams having the potential to score. However, PSG’s attacking prowess might give them the edge, and they could win by 2 goals to 1.
Both teams have a strong lineup and have shown resilience in the quarter-finals, making tonight’s match a thrilling encounter. It will be interesting to see how the players will perform under pressure, and which team will ultimately come out on top.
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