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The first finalist of the Champions League was determined in the return match between PSG and Borussia Dortmund in Paris. The first meeting, held six days ago, was won by the German team at home with a score of 1:0.
Game protocol
The reporting match may have been the last in the Champions League at the Parc des Princes for Kylian Mbappe. It is possible that in general, and not just in a PSG T-shirt. No one can guarantee that Real Madrid will have the opportunity to play at this stadium in the next few years.
PSG's task was clear: to win by two goals or in a penalty shootout after winning in regular and extra time by one goal. Paris Saint-Germain was considered the favorite, but everything was decided directly on the football field.
Last weekend, Luis Enrique's team did not play in the French championship – the PSG match was moved forward. So that the star football players can rest. Borussia Dortmund suffered nothing in the Bundesliga – the Bumblebees defeated Augsburg 5:1. And what's better?
Luis Enrique is not playing with Mbappe marinating on the bench in the Champions League. The stakes here are too high. Together with Kylian and Dembele, Gonçalo Ramos, who did not play in Dortmund, entered the attack from the first minutes. Barcola remained on the bench.
Another reshuffle at PSG was forced. Luca Hernandez was out for a long time due to a torn cruciate ligament – young Lucas Beraldo took his place in defense. There were exactly zero changes in Borussia's start compared to the first match.
The game started very calmly. Academically. In this regard, it is clear with Borussia; they did not necessarily come for victory. PSG needed the win much more. Hakimi crossed from the right flank, Ramush put his foot up, but he failed to make a dangerous shot, and Kobel calmly took the ball.
In general, Luis Enrique's team looked sluggish, not averse to playing with fire from behind. The hosts slipped the ball to Donnarumma, but he did not flinch under pressure and carried the ball into touch. PSG still had something ahead. Ramush missed the left corner from the penalty area line.
Füllkrug, attacking the guests on the right flank after a throw-in, threw the ball to Ruerson, who shot into the net from the outside. After some time, Vitinha, from the approaches to the penalty area, flicked a faded shot above the target.
The Parisians played their first serious combination in the 31st minute. The ball was brought to the right half-flank to Dembele, who fired off target. Four minutes later, Hummels clearly prevented Mbappe's shot in a tackle, and Adeyemi's sharp attempt in a counterattack was repelled by Donnarumma.
By the break, the teams sailed in a calm direction, but at the start of the second half there was a fork in the road: who would score and who would not. Mbappe sent the ball towards the goal from the left, Sabitzer made a vague header, Ramouche threw it to the right to Zaire-Emery, and he hit the near post.
Dortmund were much more prudent with their chance. Brandt took a corner from the left, and Hummels easily hit the far corner with his head, Beraldo could not stop him (0:1, 0:2 on aggregate). At the same time, it was very difficult for the Parisians to switch to a cheerful attack.
Nevertheless, the hosts created chances. But the implementation again turned the wrong way for PSG. Vitinha crossed from the right to Ramos, who fired high. Nuno Mendes hit the right post. Hummels managed to foul Dembele before the penalty area – so no penalty.
The hosts had two more crossbars through the efforts of Mbappe and Vitinya. The desperate rush did not help the Parisians. Borussia Dortmund reached the Champions League final for the first time in eleven years. And Mbappe seems to have only one way to win the Champions League. Go to Real Madrid.
Kirill Ivantsov
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