BVB against PSG: The dream of Europe's crown

Borussia Dortmund is on the verge of a historic moment and hopes to reach the final of the Champions League again after eleven years. The semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain promises to be a thrilling match as both teams tested their strengths in the group stage.

01 Maj 2024

From: dpa/tu

Borussia Dortmund is hoping for its first place in the Champions League final in eleven years. In the first semi-final duel on Wednesday (21 p.m.) with Paris Saint-Germain, the fifth-placed team in the Bundesliga wants to gain a good starting position for the second leg on May 7th in the French capital. To the relief of coach Edin Terzic, several recently missing professionals such as Emre Can, Ian Maatsen and Marcel Sabitzer are available again. Even the long-term injured Donyell Malen and Sébastien Haller could be an option.

Both teams already faced each other in the group stage. In September, BVB lost 0-2 in Paris and failed to draw more than 1-1 at home two months later. Nevertheless, Dortmund ended up ahead of the French in the table. “I don’t care if we are the underdogs or the favorites. Maybe we are the team in the semi-finals with the most hunger,” said football teacher Terzic.

Kylian Mbappe wants to get back to the final. © ANSA / Christophe Petit Tesson

Luis Enrique is also looking forward to the semi-final against his opponent from the Ruhr and is expecting a duel at eye level. “I think it will be a great spectacle for all football fans,” said the coach of the renewed French football champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Nobody talks about pressure in Paris

The Spaniard deals calmly with the high expectations placed on his team, which has been trying in vain to win the Champions League for years: “At Paris Saint-Germain everything comes with pressure. But I enjoy this situation. It's a privilege to be in the semi-finals of the Champions League. You shouldn't see the pressure as a threat." The 53-year-old draws courage from the positive development of his team, which has only lost one game this year: "We are in a positive process and have improved in all areas.

Luis Enrique believes in his team. © ANSA / CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF

When asked whether he sees his team as favorites, similar to much of the media, the Spaniard replied with a smile shortly before the final training session in the Dortmund stadium on Tuesday evening: "I've been saying for a long time that the press knows little."