Paris Saint-Germain travels to Dortmund for the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday May 1. Apart from the long-term absences of Presnel Kimpembe and goalkeeper Sergio Rico, the Parisian squad is complete for the trip to Germany.
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For the first round, PSG coach Luis Enrique should line up his typical Champions League team, with the attacking trio Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola and in the midfield Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz.
Paris at its best?
PSG is on the verge of the Champions League final, but before pursuing its dream of an unprecedented coronation in C1, it must first overcome the obstacle of Borussia Dortmund and resist the famous “Yellow Wall”. Borussia Dortmund remains an affordable opponent for PSG, despite young striker Bradley Barcola’s declarations of principle to UEFA: “ We’ve already played them twice this season, we know they’re a very good team.” The two group matches remain good memories for the French club – 2-0 victory at Parc des Princes, qualification for the round of 16 acquired after the draw (1-1) at Signal Iduna Park.
“ Paris is now in top form », Underlined Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic, Tuesday April 30, on the eve of facing PSG. “ I think over the last few weeks or months they have been extremely consistent “, he stressed. And to add: “ PSG with its project has been built with the objective of winning the Champions League for almost a decade. We want to be a part of that. If we had to play 44 matches against Paris SG, it would be difficult for us, but there are only two matches, 180 minutes. » Borussia are undefeated in their last ten home matches in this competition (six wins, four draws).
PSG is ready to make its status known, assures Luis Enrique. “ We have shown that we are a very difficult team to beat, technically, tactically, mentally. The statistics are there. Now is the time to play for the competition that all teams want. I am convinced that we will really fight and that we will go to the final, that is my goal “, he commented.
The team’s dynamic is good with the Ligue 1 title won last weekend, and qualification for the Coupe de France final against Lyon on May 25. Luis Enrique, who won the C1 at the head of FC Barcelona in 2015, knows that the essential “ is to control emotions » in important matches.