Borussia Dortmund secured a narrow victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal clash. A lone goal by Niclas Fullkrug in the 36th minute at BVB Stadion Dortmund on Wednesday was enough to tilt the balance in favor of the German club, giving them a critical lead in this high-stakes matchup.
Despite a series of strategic changes by PSG coach Luis Enrique, who adjusted both the defense and offensive line-up during the game, key player Lee Kang-in did not leave the bench. Lee, who was signed by PSG last summer, has yet to make his semifinal debut in the Champions League.
PSG, having already clinched their third consecutive French Ligue 1 title and still in the running for four trophies this season, faced Dortmund with a robust track record from their recent encounters. The teams had previously met in Group F, where PSG won the first match 2-0, but the subsequent meeting ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite these efforts, Dortmund topped the group, finishing three points ahead of PSG.
The Parisians are scheduled to host Dortmund for the return leg next Tuesday in Paris, where they aim to overturn the first leg's deficit and continue their quest for their first Champions League title. The upcoming match is also poised to potentially feature Lee Kang-in, who could join the ranks of notable South Korean players who have made significant impacts in the Champions League semifinals.
In other Champions League news, the competition saw a compelling first-leg draw between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, setting the stage for an intense return leg in Madrid. The match spotlighted Bayern's Kim Min-jae, whose performance came under scrutiny after a couple of costly errors led to Real Madrid's goals.
As PSG looks forward to their upcoming fixtures, including the Coupe de France final against Olympique Lyonnais on May 25, the team remains hopeful of achieving an unprecedented quadruple trophy win this season. The return leg in Paris will be crucial for PSG to maintain their momentum and chase their European dream.
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