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Borussia Dortmund: What went wrong in the Champions League defeat to PSG

By Adam Bakr

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 11: (FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE) In this handout image provided by UEFA, Emre Can, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Raphael Guerreiro of Borussia Dortmund clash with players of Paris Saint-Germain as referee Anthony Taylor attempts to split them up during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France. The match is played behind closed doors as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). (Photo by UEFA - Handout/UEFA via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 11: (FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE) In this handout image provided by UEFA, Emre Can, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Raphael Guerreiro of Borussia Dortmund clash with players of Paris Saint-Germain as referee Anthony Taylor attempts to split them up during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on March 11, 2020 in Paris, France. The match is played behind closed doors as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). (Photo by UEFA - Handout/UEFA via Getty Images) /
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Dortmund’s English forward Jadon Sancho (R) celebrates scoring with Dortmund’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund v FC Cologne in Dortmund, on January 24, 2020. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Dortmund’s English forward Jadon Sancho (R) celebrates scoring with Dortmund’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund v FC Cologne in Dortmund, on January 24, 2020. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /

Sancho and Hakimi are better on the same side

Being able to swap wings is a valuable asset for Dortmund’s front line, but the chemistry between Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi is even better for the side. The two have created a strong connection in the last season and a half, with both of them playing down the right side of the field for most of their time together.

The duo has caused an immense amount of issues for opposing defences this season and they always seem to have a special eye for where the other one is at all times.

Against PSG, Sancho started on the left and Thorgan Hazard lined up on the right side in front of Hakimi. Sancho is capable of playing on the left, but Hakimi compliments him in ways different to Raphael Guerreiro. Sancho often likes to drop back to receive the ball, which makes Hakimi’s overlapping runs so valuable, as Sancho is often able to find him.

Game winning goals for Hakimi against both Inter Milan and Borussia Monchengladbach came from Sancho assists, and the Englishmen also set up the Madrid loanee to assist Haaland with near identical plays against Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen, all coming from the right side.

With Guerreiro, Sancho usually has to do the running in behind. This did create a half-chance for Dortmund, but with nobody open in the box Sancho had to settle for a shot from a tight angle. On the other side, Hazard and Hakimi were not able to create much together. Hazard had a chance to play Hakimi into the box, but settled for a shot in what could have been the best chance of the game for Dortmund if done right.

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