Paris Saint-Germain, too uninspired and imprecise, was beaten once again by Dortmund on Tuesday (1-0) and eliminated in the semi-final of the Champions League, on the verge of the final at Wembley.
A new great regret in the European history of the capital club, which will not play a second final. Paris, however, had the offensive weapons and the arguments necessary to take out the “BVB”, a club well within its reach.
“We are the army of PSG and nothing can stop us,” even predicted a banner from the Parc des princes des grands soirs.
But as in the first leg (1-0), they showed neither enough intensity nor enough desire – especially in the first half – to repeat Barcelona’s feat and reverse the situation.
Ironically, PSG opened its European campaign in September by beating “BVB” 2-0 at the Parc.
This time Dortmund was too well organized and sufficiently positioned to be surprised by the Parisian attackers.
And when the Germans were, they were once again saved by their posts. Four times.
After the double post of Mbappé and Marquinhos in the Ruhr, it was Warren Zaire-Emery (47th) and Nuno Mendes (61st) who hit the posts on Tuesday evening.
Dortmund striker Niclas Fuellkrug (right) and Parisian Achraf Hakimi (left) in the Champions League semi-final, May 7, 2024 at the Parc des Princes / Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
Then at the end of the match, it was Kylian Mbappé who hit the crossbar (86th), while Paris pushed without managing to break through the yellow wall. Before Vitinha found it again (88th).
Paris has hit the opposing goalposts 14 times this season in the Champions League – half of which came against Dortmund – a record.
After a first period where they had possession of the ball without doing much, they returned from the locker room with better intentions. But we had to start the match differently to hope for something for Paris, which fielded the youngest team in the semi-final since 2009 according to statistician Opta.
Four amounts
On their weak point, set pieces, they were punished by the “BVB” and Mats Hummels who got the better of Lucas Beraldo and deceived Donnarumma, who did not come out, with a header (1 -0.50th).
Not inspired enough, not very dangerous, they once again did not use enough depth, which was nevertheless possible with the speed of Dembélé and Mbappé.
Dortmund defender Mats Hummels (right) during the Champions League semi-final against PSG, May 7, 2024 at the Parc des Princes / Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
Faced with the boring game proposed by the Parisians, one could wonder if they had realized that they were playing for a place in the final.
The only time Luis Enrique’s men were dangerous was with a powerful strike from Fabian Ruiz deflected by Schlotterbeck (45th).
Even if they were more dangerous in the second half, they were still too imprecise like the shot from Gonçalo Ramos – preferred to Barcola – well above (60th) or the head of Marquinhos (83rd).
This season, PSG had never had two bad matches in the knockout phase and seemed better with their backs against the wall. Better yet, Paris had never lost against Dortmund at home.
It was the worst night on Tuesday to contradict these statistics, as the final seemed achievable.
PSG’s Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (right) during the defeat against Dortmund in the Champions League semi-final, May 7, 2024 at the Parc des Princes / MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP
The French star, Kylian Mbappé, who had his last C1 match at the Parc des Princes with Paris, has still not shown his best face.
Since the announcement to his management of his departure, the N.7 has been far from his best level in the Champions League, and will therefore not finish in style with Paris.
Failing against Dortmund, when everything seemed to be smiling for the Parisians this season – until the draw for the final phase – is undoubtedly a big disappointment for the club.
“We will congratulate the opponent, the next day we will be absolutely disgusted and we will get up with the objective of going to the final next season,” Luis Enrique said on Monday, to play down the drama. It will obviously take time to digest these two consecutive defeats.
