UEFA Champions League 2023-24: Borussia Dortmund (BVB) vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) semi-final 1st leg Match Preview

Borussia Dortmund against the odds have qualified for the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 season. The German side will be hosting Paris Saint-Germain who made a brilliant comeback in the 2nd leg against FC Barcelona to qualify for the last 4 four of the European competition. Dortmund's domestic season has been a decent one as they are placed 5th in the Bundesliga with qualification for UCL next season on the lines. However, they made an excellent comeback at the Signal Iduna Park against Atletico Madrid. 

PSG have already won the Ligue 1 with three matches still left to play. The French champions have successfully defended their domestic trophy for yet another season. But the European trophy has been missing in their cabinet for long years, despite making it to the final in the 2019/20 season they lost against Bayern Munich with former PSG player Kingsley Coman scoring for the German team.

In the current season under Luis Enrique, they have performed excellently with certain plans and tactics. The Spanish coach has led Barca to the final and won it back in the 2014/15 season, in the ongoing season he has the chance to give the French club their maiden UCL trophy. Dortmund and PSG faced each other in the group stage of the current season where the French club won one game and the second one was a draw. In the head-to-head record also Enrique's side is just ahead winning 2 games in 4 meetings. 

Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain: Prediction

Dortmund have a amazing record at their home and they will hope to make the home advantage count in the first leg and take a hefty lead as well. Although the problem for the side has been cosistency, that can hurt them in a semi-final clash as the side needs to step up in the big stage in order to qualify for the finals of the UCL. Marco Reus have been an amazing player for the club with amount of respect and dedication he has shown he will love to win a UCL trophy with the club. 

PSG on the other hand have looked in good form in the ongoing season, after their excellent comeback in the quarter-finals against Barca, the side will be much more confident coming to the semi-final. Kylian Mbappe who has been their star has scored 43 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions for the side and will be the main man for the side on Wednesday. He will look to create problems down the wings for the Dortmund defence with his pace. 

Injury and Suspension Concern 

Borussia Dortmund

Ramy Bensebaini, Sebastien Haller, Donyell Malen. 

Paris Saint-Germain

Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa, Sergio Rico.

Probable Playing XI  

Borussia Dortmund 

Gregor Kobel, Julian Ryerson, Mats Hummels, Nico Schlotterbeck, Ian Maatsen, Marcel Sabitzer, Emre Can, Julian Brandt, Jadon Sancho, Niclas Füllkrug, Karim Adeyemi

Paris Saint-Germain

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nordi Mukiele, Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo, Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaire Emery, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muan, Kylian Mbappe.