PSG vs Borussia Dortmund – Champions League Combined XI | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-finals this evening as both teams look to progress to club football’s biggest game.

The tie is evenly poised after a 1-0 win for Dortmund in Germany, ahead of Tuesday’s showdown at the Parc des Princes. Ahead of the clash, we’ve selected our Combined XI from the two teams.

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG

Gianluigi Donnarumma has packed a fair bit into his 25 years. The Italian is approaching almost a decade at the top level, with the precocious talent of the shot-stopper having already yielded three league titles and Best Goalkeeper awards in Serie A and Ligue 1.

Named Player of the Tournament as Italy won the European Championship in 2021, Donnarumma’s career achievements are extraordinary at an age where most goalkeepers have not often reached their peak.

Right-back: Achraf Hakimi – PSG

Achraf Hakimi will face his former team this evening as the marauding Moroccan lines up for PSG against Dortmund.

A two-season spell at Dortmund helped kickstart the career of the right-back, who has evolved into one of world football’s finest in his position. Electric on the overlap and excellent technically, he has all the attributes required of a modern full-back.

Centre-back: Marquinhos – PSG

Marquinhos will go down as a great of PSG, having shorn up the Parisian’s backline for over a decade. The 29-year-old has made a club record 440 appearances for PSG in all competitions, winning a catalogue of honours that includes nine Ligue 1 titles.

The glaring omission from the Brazilian’s résumé is the Champions League, a trophy that has proven elusive to date. He will hope this is the season PSG’s quest is completed, after defeat in the 2020 final.

Centre-back: Nico Schlotterbeck – Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund beat Premier League competition to land Nico Schlotterbeck in 2022 and the defender has proven to be an astute addition.

The 24-year-old has been included in the Bundesliga Team of the Season in consecutive campaigns and ranks in the top 10% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues for attempted passes, progressive passes, progressive carries, tackles and blocks per 90 minutes.

Left-back: Nuno Mendes – PSG

Nuno Mendes might have had a tough time in the first leg though it will take time for the 21-year-old to get back up to speed after his long lay-off.

A long-term hamstring issue has seen Mendes sidelined for much of the campaign, stalling the progress of the marauding left-back. The Portugal international is a top talent and was named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year as PSG won the title in 2022/23.

Midfield: Vitinha – PSG

One of the bright lights in PSG’s campaign, Vitinha has emerged as a crucial cog in Luis Enrique’s side. Outstanding in the quarter-final win over Barcelona, he was PSG’s best player in defeat at Borussia Dortmund last time out.

An all-action presence in midfield, Enrique labelled the Portugal international ‘among the best in the world in his position’ last month. PSG are desperate to tie the increasingly influential midfielder down to a new deal.

Midfield: Warren Zaïre-Emery – PSG

The present and future for Paris Saint-Germain, Warren Zaïre-Emery has broken records since coming through the club’s ranks. The teenager performs with a maturity and calm demeanour that defies his inexperience, offering composure in the heat of midfield battles.

Having only celebrated his 18th birthday last month, he’s already racked up 71 appearances for PSG in all competitions and marked his France debut with a goal in November. A special talent.

Midfield: Julian Brandt – Borussia Dortmund

Julian Brandt will be looked towards to make a decisive contribution for Dortmund this week with the German midfielder often responsible for unlocking defences.

The 28-year-old has six goals and 11 assists in the Bundesliga this season, with only Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex Grimaldo having created more goals in Germany’s top flight.

Right-wing: Ousmane Dembele – PSG

Ousmane Dembele is another player who will come face-to-face with his former employers this evening. Dembele’s star rose meteorically during a single season spell in Dortmund, in which the French winger starred to earn a record-breaking move to Barcelona.

After an injury-hit spell in Spain, he signed for PSG last summer and has provided 14 assists across all competitions. A natural off either foot, his unpredictability makes Dembele a nightmare for full-backs.

Left-wing: Jadon Sancho – Borussia Dortmund

Jadon Sancho showed signs of getting back to his best in the first leg with the on-loan winger in inspired form.

Sancho became the first-ever Englishman to complete 11+ dribbles in a Champions League game and the first player to do so in a semi-final since Lionel Messi 16 years ago.

At his best, he is a fantastic watch with fleet footwork and evasive movement. Confidence back on the rise, he looks far more at home in a Dortmund shirt than he ever did at Manchester United.

Forward: Kylian Mbappe – PSG

Kylian Mbappe might just be the most talented player in world football right now. He will want to strengthen that argument with a big performance against Dortmund, as the Champions League’s leading scorer looks to add to his impressive haul.

It’s 43 goals in all competitions for the Frenchman this season, the best return of what has been a record-breaking and prolific career in Paris. Set to leave in the summer, he has two games to crown, and perhaps define, his legacy at the Parc des Princes.

Read – PSG vs Borussia Dortmund – Champions League Match Preview

See more – Four talking points ahead of the Champions League semi-finals

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