Niclas Füllkrug's winner gives Borussia Dortmund 1-0 advantage over PSG in Champions League semifinal

Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain: Semi-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain: Semi-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 / Boris Streubel/GettyImages
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Borussia Dortmund will take a slender lead into next week's Champions League semifinal second leg in Paris after claiming a 1-0 win over PSG at the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday.

For all the negativity surrounding the club this season, Borussia Dortmund now find themselves 90 minutes away from a spot in the final of the UEFA Champions League. And it was fitting that the often-criticised Niclas Füllkrug scored the goal that won his side the first leg.

Niclas Fullkrug
Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint Germain - UEFA Champions League / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

It was a near-perfect performance from Borussia Dortmund, who dominated proceedings for the most part and were unlucky not to score more goals. The Black and Yellows played with great discipline, and also looked dangerous every time they ventured forward.

Jadon Sancho was the star of the show for Borussia Dortmund, as he showed his sublime quality under the bright Champions League lights. The Englishman was unlucky not to end up with a goal or an assist, but his display showed once again just what he is capable of producing.

Warren Zaire-Emery, Jadon Sancho
Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain: Semi-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages

Borussia Dortmund play their best football when they get off the blocks quickly and approach the game with high intensity early on. And that is exactly the tactic Edin Terzic went with against PSG, who were forced into a shell for much of the first-half.

Nico Schlotterbeck finally broke the game open by playing Niclas Füllkrug in on goal with an excellent long ball in the 36th minute. The Germany international controlled the pass with a perfect touch before firing the ball home to give Borussia Dortmund the lead. Marcel Sabitzer nearly doubled BVB's lead soon after. But the Austrian international's shot was well saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

PSG upped the ante after the break, causing all sorts of problems to the Borussia Dortmund defenders. Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi both hit the post, before Fabián Ruiz missed a good opportunity.

Amid all of PSG's dominance, Julian Brandt missed a golden chance to double BVB's lead. Moments later, Füllkrug failed to keep his first-time shot down after some really good play from Jadon Sancho.

The two teams kept trading chances, with Ousmane Dembele forcing an excellent 1v1 save from Gregor Kobel after a brilliant flick from Mbappe. The former BVB winger then failed to find the target after being picked out by Hakimi.

Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain: Semi-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24
Borussia Dortmund v Paris Saint-Germain: Semi-final First Leg - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 / INA FASSBENDER/GettyImages

Both teams had half-chances in the closing stages, but there were to be no more goals. The tie is still very much alive going into the second leg, and Borussia Dortmund must now brace themselves for a gruelling 90 minutes in Paris next week. But for now, they can revel in yet another famous win and dream about a spot in the Champions League final at the Wembley stadium.

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