3️⃣ things we learned from Wednesday's Champions League semi-final | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund will take a 1-0 lead to Paris next week after defeating Paris Saint-Germain in a thrilling and tense Champions League semi-final first leg.

Here is what we made of the action at the Westfalenstadion.

PSG and Mbappé will fancy their chances next week

As usual, most of the attention ahead of tonight’s game was on Kylian Mbappé, with it being the French captain and PSG’s last chance to win the Champions League together ahead of his (presumed) summer move to Real Madrid.

It didn’t go to plan, however, with the Parisians missing a host of chances. Mbappé came the closest, hitting the inside of the post with a beautifully curled effort before Achraf Hakimi’s low drive clipped the base of the woodwork seconds later.

Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha and Ousmane Dembélé were also guilty of failing to hit the target when it seemed easier to score, particularly in the former’s case.

Despite that, Luis Enrique will be confident ahead of next week’s second-leg in front of a home crowd at the Parc des Princes.

The key will be getting Mbappé more involved as it is highly unlikely he will go 180 minutes without impacting a tie.

Do that and the chance of a perfect farewell for both player and club will be one step closer.

Old heads stand tall for Dortmund

For all of PSG’s failings in front of goal, huge credit must also go to Dortmund, who fought tooth and nail for their first-leg lead.

The spine of Edin Terzić’s side provided the experience that is always needed in such occasions, with both Mats Hummels and Emre Can stepping up and rolling back the years.

The 35-year-old Hummels is the only player left from the yellow and black’s heyday under Jürgen Klopp.

He played in their last-semi final win against Real Madrid in 2013 and starred again here to keep alive the hopes of another Wembley final, possibly against old side Bayern Munich once again.

In front of him, captain Emre Can and Marcel Sabitzer were solid, if not spectacular, as their side had less of the ball for most of the game but stopped PSG from ever gaining true control of the contest.

As for the match-winner and late bloomer Niclas Füllkrug, his Dortmund career continues to go from strength his strength. The 31-year-old’s ruthless first-half finish was the third goal, and sixth goal contribution, of his first-ever Champions League campaign.

The older heads will be needed next week if Dortmund’s remarkable journey is to head for London.

A tale of two sets of wingers as Sancho stars

It was a night to remember for Jadon Sancho as the on-loan Manchester United man reminded everyone why he was such a star during his first stint with Dortmund.

The topic has become over-discussed and blame has attributed to both the 24-year-old and the Old Trafford club for his struggles but, maybe, he is just more comfortable and confident with his old/new team.

He was certainly was tonight as he danced his way around the pitch, slipping in through balls and tormenting defenders – his skinning of Nuno Mendes was a particular highlight.

On the other side, Karim Adeyemi was equally dangerous, providing the home side with another outlet to carry the ball and find Füllkrug.

It was a different story for another one-time Dortmund wideman, Ousmane Dembélé. The Frenchman’s raw talent is undeniable but his end product is questionable at best, and it was again tonight.

He struggled to beat his man and even when Hakimi did it for him, the 26-year-old blazed a shot high over the bar when unmarked inside the box late on.

As for the younger Bradley Barcola, it wasn’t his best night as he was replaced by Randal Kolo Muani with 25 minutes to go.

Will Enrique stick with the same duo who starred against Barcelona or make a change for the second leg?