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Paris Saint-Germain vs Borussia Dortmund: UEFA Champions League Match Preview

By mac14 on September 19, 2023

The excitement is palpable as the UEFA Champions League group stage kicks off, and all eyes are on Borussia Dortmund, who are set to launch their campaign with a challenging away match against Paris Saint-Germain.

Overview

For the fourth consecutive year, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is introducing a new face to lead their quest for Champions League glory. Despite their consistent dominance in Ligue 1, PSG’s recent Champions League track record has been far from stellar.

Last season, under the leadership of Galtier, PSG suffered a disheartening 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the 2022-23 last 16. This marked the fifth time in seven seasons that PSG bowed out of the competition in the early knockout stages. As a result, their continental trophy cabinet remains untouched, gathering dust.

Now, the reins of PSG are in the hands of former Barcelona treble winner Luis Enrique. His goal is to replicate the Champions League success he achieved with Barcelona in 2015. However, Enrique’s tenure at PSG has not had the smoothest start.

PSG’s performance in the early stages of the season has been lackluster, with the team accumulating just eight points out of a possible 15. Their recent home defeat against Nice, where they conceded three goals while scoring two, has left them in an unfamiliar fifth place in the top-flight table. It’s uncharted territory for the perennial Ligue 1 champions.

As Borussia Dortmund prepares to face PSG at the Parc des Princes, they are hopeful of their chances in Group F, which promises to be a thrilling contest. Dortmund is riding a wave of confidence, having stretched their unbeaten run to 13 matches across all competitions. They’ve found the back of the net in each of those games, showcasing their attacking prowess.

However, Dortmund is still waiting for their first away clean sheet of the season, a statistic they hope to change in this campaign. With teams like Newcastle and Milan also in the group, every match is expected to be closely contested. Therefore, a positive start is crucial for both PSG and Borussia Dortmund.

Last season, Dortmund came agonizingly close to winning the Bundesliga but couldn’t clinch the title. Their start to the new league campaign has been less than stellar, with draws against Bochum and newly promoted Heidenheim. Nevertheless, Dortmund bounced back with a 4-2 victory over Freiburg on Saturday. The team boasts a settled lineup, which could work to their advantage as they look to topple a PSG side that is still finding its footing after a major summer overhaul.

In their last encounter in the 2019-20 Champions League, Dortmund managed to outperform PSG with a 2-1 victory in the first leg of the last-16 tie. However, the return match at the Parc des Princes saw PSG, led by Tuchel, secure a 2-0 win en route to the final. Unfortunately for Dortmund, their familiar nemesis, Bayern Munich, crushed their dreams of European stardom in that final.

Tonight’s game promises to be a thrilling battle between two European heavyweights. You can still buy tickets for the match at Seatsnet.com but act fast if you want to get your hands on a ticket as it’s almost certain to be a sell-out in Paris.

Team News

Paris Saint-Germain

While PSG’s star player, Kylian Mbappe, recovered from a minor knee concern in time to feature against Nice, Coach Enrique is facing a sizable absentee list. Marco Asensio is sidelined for the remainder of the month due to a foot injury. Hamstring injuries have kept Nordi Mukiele and Nuno Mendes from returning, and Presnel Kimpembe is still struggling with an Achilles tendon issue. Fabian Ruiz is doubtful after missing the Nice game with a thigh complaint.

Lee Kang-in, who is set to represent South Korea at the Asian Games, is still recovering from a muscular concern. Goalkeeper Sergio Rico is on the lengthy path to recovery from a head injury, while fellow goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier is unavailable due to a knee injury.

Marquinhos and Manuel Ugarte, returning late from South America, were not considered for starting roles in the previous game. However, they are expected to replace Danilo Pereira and Carlos Soler in the upcoming fixture.

Borussia Dortmund

When it comes to injuries, Borussia Dortmund is grappling with its own set of challenges. The infirmary isn’t as crowded as PSG’s, but they are dealing with some key absentees. Thomas Meunier, nursing a hamstring injury, and Mateu Morey, recovering from a knee problem, are not expected back until next month. Julien Duranville is still working on his match fitness.

On a more positive note, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and right-back Julian Ryerson successfully completed the full 90 minutes against Freiburg, putting their recent problems behind them. Niclas Fullkrug even came off the bench despite a tendon issue. However, Giovanni Reyna continues to battle a leg injury.

If Ryerson isn’t deemed ready for back-to-back starts, Marius Wolf, who played a crucial role in setting up Marco Reus’s late goal over the weekend, is a capable deputy. On the opposite flank, Ramy Bensebaini is expected to continue, despite being substituted at halftime in the previous match.

Key Players

Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly the key player to watch for PSG. With six goals in just four appearances for his club this season, he’s a constant goal threat. Betting on Mbappe to score is a popular choice. However, if you’re looking for more enticing odds, consider backing him to score the opening goal, which increases the odds to 3/1.

Kolo Muani

Kolo Muani’s playing style draws comparisons to Thierry Henry, particularly in his younger days. His graceful dribbling and impressive speed make him a handful for defenders. Muani is strong on the ball and has a playful approach to the game, often leaving defenders trailing behind. He also possesses the ability to deliver precise forward passes to advancing runners, making him a potential standout signing for PSG this season.

Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund)

Donyell Malen has been in fine form for Borussia Dortmund, scoring four goals in five games. Despite his impressive record, he’s priced at 4/1 for anytime scorer, which seems like good value. Additionally, you can bet on him having at least one shot on target, with even odds.

Marco Reus

Marco Reus is a versatile and technically skilled player known for his speed, agility, and shooting ability. He excels at creating chances, providing assists, and scoring goals, both from open play and set pieces. Reus is a hard-working player with good vision, making him a crucial asset for Borussia Dortmund in this match.

Match Prediction

Predicting Borussia Dortmund’s performance in the Champions League group stages can be a tricky task. They have the potential to play like world-beaters in one game and struggle in the next.

While the Parc des Princes may have lost some of its fear factor in 2023, PSG remains a formidable side, having scored at least two goals in each of their last three matches.

The return of Ugarte and Marquinhos will add strength to PSG’s lineup, but Dortmund’s in-form attackers should still pose a threat. In this highly anticipated clash, we predict a 2-2 draw, making for an exciting and evenly contested encounter.