PSG travel to the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday evening, where they will face a Borussia Dortmund side that are already through to the knockout stages, an achievement that wouldn’t have been expected when Luis Enrique’s team beat the Germans 2-0 in matchday one.
Borussia Dortmund
Even though they were drawn in the group of death (F), Dortmund have been superb, rightfully earning their current spot in first place and as already mentioned, a spot in the knockouts. BVB have accumulated ten points, winning three of their five matches. Most of the points collected by Edin Terzic's side were won by fine margins and their extremely strong defensive foundations, which has seen the side concede just three goals, the lowest number in Group F. On the other hand, they have netted just six times, which has been a problem area for BVB in Europe, and it could cost them in the latter stages of the competition.
Last time out in the UCL, Marco Reus rolled back the years at the San Siro, picking up a goal and an assist in a vital 3-1 away win versus AC Milan. The tie couldn’t have started any worse for Dortmund, as the Italian side were handed a penalty. Luckily, Gregor Kobel saved Olivier Giroud’s strike and Reus netted a penalty himself just four minutes later. BVB were ruthless on the counter and nullified the majority of Milan’s attacks.
PSG
The Parisians’ Champions League future is in their own hands, but they have a history of throwing away golden opportunities. After five matches in Group F, they are currently sat in second place on seven points. PSG’s fluid, win by attacking with the handbrake off approach is of the past with Enrique in charge, reflected by the goals tally of just eight, with Kylian Mbappe scoring three of those. Even though they are fairly solid at the back, they have conceded the joint most in the group, seven, but four of those came against Newcastle in matchday 2.
The French sides most recent UCL match was a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle. PSG tallied up 31 shots and 4.54 xG on the night, but only won a point due to a large slice of luck via a penalty that looked extremely harsh. Mbappe smashed it home from the spot in the 98th minute, with that goal putting PSG back in charge.
Verdict?
Progress is not guaranteed for PSG and they could end up in the UEFA Europa League spot if things do not go their way. They’ve also lost both of their away games so far, conceding six goals. On the other hand, Dortmund are unbeaten at home, and they will be desperate to secure first place.
The final prediction is Borussia Dortmund 1-2 PSG.
