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Niclas Fullkrug's first-half strike helped Borussia Dortmund take a one-goal advantage in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday night at the Signal Iduna Park.
Edin Terzic's side saw out a hard-fought victory against the French champions as his side look gain a berth in the Champions League final for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
And they got off to a flying start in the match, with Fullkrug breaking free of the PSG defence before clinically guiding the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal to put the hosts 1-0 up. Marcel Sabitzer almost doubled their lead before the break with a strike from close range, but the PSG goalkeeper managed to keep his shot out, with some excellent reactions.
PSG came out of the blocks quickly in the second half with Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi both hitting the woodwork early on. Jadon Sancho would also show his brilliant foot work, dancing round several PSG players to fire an excellent cross into the visitor's penalty area, but Fullkrug could not quite tap the ball into the back of the net.
Mail Sport's Pete Jenson delivers his player ratings from Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final clash.
Niclas Fullkrug's first-half strike helped Borussia Dortmund claim a 1-0 victory against PSG
Edin Terzic's side will now head to the Parc Des Princes with a one-goal advantage
It was a tough night for Kylian Mbappe, who was largely inhibited by the Dortmund defence
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1)
Gregor Kobel – 6
Took one gamble in possession in the first half but got away with it not called into action too much because of PSG’s wayward finishing.
Julian Ryerson – 6.5
Aggressive recuperations and tidy in possession. Did his best to support Sancho going forward.
Mats Hummels – 7
Marshalled Mbappe well and bossed a defence that needed to be at its best on Dortmund’s biggest night of the season.
Gregor Kobel was not called into action too much, but did make one error in the first half
Mats Hummels was a giant at the back for Dortmund and bossed PSG's attackers all game
Ian Maatsen dazzled the German side. It begs the question, why did Chelsea send him on loan?
Nico Schlotterbeck – 7.5
Great near-post block at the end of the first half. Important part of the operation to shut down Mbappe and stayed the course into the second half when PSG began to throw everything forward.
Ian Maatsen – 8
Why is he on loan at Dortmund and not playing for Chelsea. Positive, skilful and direct going forward. Harshly booked for foul on Zaire-Emery but never let that alter a very impressive display.
Emre Can – 6.5
Helped cage-in Mbappe in the first half by playing in front of the Dortmund centre-backs. Played his part in controlling Vitinha.
Marcel Sabitzer – 7
Combative in midfield and tested Donnarumma with good shot before the break. Legs and quality in Dortmund’s engine room.
Karim Adeyemi – 7
Tracked back brilliantly to support Maatsen. And was increasingly a problem for PSG down their right side. Outshone by Sancho on the other wing, but a good display.
Karim Adeyemi (right) tracked brilliantly and proved to be a problem down PSG's right flank
Julian Brandt lacked a killer instinct with his finishing and was also wasteful with some passes
Julian Brandt – 6.5
Tried to weave golden threads from the space in front of PSG’s defence but lacked a decisive pass and shot high and wide when well placed to score in the second half.
Jadon Sancho – 8.5
Looked back to his very best. Danced his way infield frequently causing panic in the PSG defence. Then showed he could go on the outside too skipping past Nuno and leaving Fullkrug with golden chance to double the lead.
Niclas Fullkrug – 7
Starved of touches let alone chances in the first half but the first opportunity he got he buried it with the minimum fuss. Then the chances came one after the other… and he missed them all.
Jadon Sancho (left) looked back to his best and was a nuisance for PSG all night on the wing
Fullkrug expertly took his chance to put Dortmund a goal up, producing a clinical finish
Subs
Marco Reus (for Adeyemi, 65) – 7
Marius Wolf (for Ryerson 87)
Felix Nmecha (for Brandt 87)
Moukoko (for Fullkrug 91)
PSG (4-2-3-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6.5
Saved well at his near post from Dortmund’s first chance. Maybe slow to get down for the opening goal but this was not a repeat of his nightmare in the quarterfinal first leg against Barcelona.
Achraf Hakimi – 7
Largely limited to defensive duties early on, trying, and not always managing, to deal with Adeyemi and Maatsen. More adventurous second half and hit post.
Marquinhos – 6.5
Played Fullkrug on side and then lost him at his back for the opening goal. PSG’s defence still has a soft centre after so many years of spending.
Lucas Hernandez – 6
Slow to get across to Fullkrug, lunged too late and injured himself in the process. Limped off before half time.
Gianluigi Donnarumma enjoyed a mixed game and could have stopped Dortmund's goal
Lucas Hernandez (bottom) injured himself while trying to lunge to stop Fullkrug from scoring
Marquinhos (left) endured a tough game and was partly at fault for Dortmund's goal
Achraf Hakimi (left) his hands full dealing with Dortmund's Adeyemi (right) during the match
Nuno Mendes – 6
Lost the battle with Sancho. And was so busy defensively that he could offer no threat going forward.
Warren Zaire-Emery – 6
Worked hard in midfield and some nice long passes forward but never really stamped his authority on the game. Shot-shy.
Vitinha – 6
Luis Enrique’s midfield metronome. Huge talent who helped run the early part of the game for the French side but his influence faded.
Vitinha was superb in midfield for PSG, but his influence waned as the game progressed
Warren Zaire-Emery (left) worked hard, but could not stamp his authority on the game
Fabian Ruiz – 6.5
Guilty in first half of always looking to find Mbappe when less well-marked options were on. Had one header from close range but he couldn’t steer it goalwards.
Ousamane Dembele – 6.5
If all shots were goals no player would score more. Never afraid to try but his aim was way off too often. Tried with a header but that also never looked like testing Kobel. Lacked end product.
Kylian Mbappe – 6.5
Like the biblical Samson with a haircut when boxed-in the first half. Found more space to gallop in wider areas after the break but hit the post with his best chance.
Ousamane Dembele (left) lacked end product during the match, missing several big chances
Bradley Barcola (left) struggled to get on the ball and was substituted after half-time
Bradley Barcola – 6
Saw little of the ball as the vast majority of PSG’s attacks came down Dembele’s right wing. Taken off in the second half.
Subs
Lucas Beraldo (for Lucas Hernandez, 41) – 6
Randal Kolo Muani (for Barcola, 65) – 6
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