Champions League - BVB first into round of 16 - draw against PSG
The Champions League remains a feel-good oasis for BVB, who are struggling in the Bundesliga. In the 1:1 (0:0) draw against the star ensemble from Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening, Dortmund had a lot of luck, but to the astonishment of the experts, they finished top of Group F.
After a spectacular clash between the two teams in front of 81,365 spectators at the sold-out Signal Iduna Park, coach Edin Terzic's team can hope for an easier opponent in the draw for the round of 16 on Monday.
Karim Adeyemi (51st minute) had put the hosts ahead, but Warren Zaire-Emery (56th) equalized for PSG shortly afterwards.
BVB also consistent against PSG
Unlike in the Bundesliga, BVB have been consistently strong in the Champions League of late - and that initially continued against Paris. Borussia got off to a good start despite the high-caliber PSG starting eleven and dominated proceedings in the early stages. This was mainly because the hosts pressed the French star ensemble around Kylian Mbappé high up the pitch, forcing them to make mistakes time and again.
In contrast to the disappointing 0:2 in the first leg in Paris, Terzic did not rely on a wall tactic this time. In attack, he relied on the quick-as-an-arrow Karim Adeyemi, among others, to pose a threat to PSG on the counter-attack. Niklas Süle started in central defense this time in place of Nico Schlotterbeck. And that paid off early on.
After a while, the French team got into the game a little better. After just under 20 minutes, superstar Mbappé was free through and only had to push the ball into the empty goal from an acute angle - but the onrushing Süle was able to deflect the ball out of play with a monster save. The international's save was met with loud applause. BVB were also lucky with Bradley Barcola's (20th) shot hitting the post and Randal Kolo Muani's (24th) attempt.
High-speed soccer and a BVB lead
Suddenly, Dortmund's defense was shaky because the pressure on the PSG defense was now lacking. Dortmund pulled back, which was the only way Paris could get in better. It was only when Borussia pressed higher up the pitch again that things started to go their way. However, Adeyemi (32) and Mats Hummels (45-1) missed the best opportunities.
The result was an extremely entertaining match at Signal Iduna Park, which, somewhat surprisingly, initially lacked goals. When one team pulled back more, the other became more dangerous. Accordingly, there was a lot of spectacle, which the spectators applauded loudly at half-time.
It didn't take long after that for the crowd to be rewarded with the first goal. And it came just as the course of the game had suggested - after a successful pressing move. BVB put Paris under pressure deep in their own half and won the ball. Via Ramy Bensebaini and Niclas Füllkrug, it ended up with Adeyemi, who slotted home from close range.
The joy did not last long, however, as PSG equalized just five minutes later. This time, BVB did not defend consistently and were immediately punished. An unfortunate deflected ball ended up with Zaïre-Emery, who scored with a low shot to make it 1-1. PSG remained dangerous afterwards, but the French side were unable to score the winner.
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- In a draw against Paris Saint-Germain's 'star ensemble' in the Champions League, Niklas Süle played a significant role in Dortmund's defense.
- Hailing from North Rhine-Westphalia, Borussia Dortmund finished top of Group F in the Champions League, surprising many experts.
- With Karim Adeyemi scoring in the 51st minute, BVB managed to take a lead against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
- The 'hammer group' of Borussia Dortmund performed consistently well against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, although they struggled in the Bundesliga.
- In the Champions League clash between Dortmund and Paris, Germany's international star Niklas Süle made a significant save to deny Kylian Mbappé a goal.
- Although the French team had opportunities to score, Dortmund defended sturdily in the first half of the Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.
- A debut of sorts was seen in the Champions League as Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi outshone Kylian Mbappé of Paris Saint-Germain during their clash.
- Edin Terzic's Borussia Dortmund team demonstrated their ability to adapt tactics, as they opted against a 'wall tactic' in their Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.
Source: www.stern.de
