Champions League: Disappointed PSG Take Their Frustrations Out on BVB

Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain

PSG were on the brink of extending their dynasty in the French top flight, but instead, their glory was a little delayed after a 3-3 draw with Le Havre. They could’ve already boasted a Ligue 1 title when they face Dortmund for the first leg of their Champions League semifinal bout against Dortmund, but instead, they’ll march to Signal Iduna Park with clinched fists and clenched jaws.

Elsewhere, Dortmund suffered one of their worst losses in the 2023–24 campaign when they were thrashed by RB Leipzig 4-1. To make things worse, they also lost their veteran defender, Mats Hummels, in the process.

It will be interesting to see how Edin Terzic and his men will deal with their growing injury list.

Talking Points

A lot to unpack for PSG

It’s been a rollercoaster ride for PSG the past few weeks. It all started with a monumental comeback against Barcelona in the Champions League, where the French outfit came back from trailing on aggregate and eliminated Xavi and Barcelona in the quarterfinal.

Then, the reigning Ligue 1 champions had the perfect opportunity to clinch their third straight Ligue 1 title but ended up choking and splitting their title-clinching points with relegation candidates Le Havre.

“I think we are in the best form we have been in all season. I am convinced that we will put up a good fight, and the objective is to be in the final,” PSG manager Luis Enrique exclaimed.

It’s fair to take note that some of PSG’s key players, including Kylian Mbappe, had a light workload against La Havre, as Luis Enrique and his men already have one eye on their Champions League semifinal against Dortmund.

Unfortunately for Dortmund, it’s known that a rested Kylian Mbappe could definitely wreak havoc.

After an upset like that, PSG fans at SBOTOP should expect a fiery performance from the French outfit coupled with a handful of Champions League 2024 highlights during their semifinal clash against Bundesliga side Dortmund. “Tonight we have won the league without any doubt. We will be champions, given the goal difference advantage,” Luis Enrique said.

Dortmund’s woes continue

BVB were hoping to reclaim top-four status with a win against RB Leipzig but ultimately fell short—no, by a mile—to the Red Bulls, who put Dortmund in their place with a 4-1 thrashing at Red Bull Arena. While still not mathematically confirmed, Dortmund are poised to finish below 4^th place for the first time since the 2014–15 season.

Their humbling defeat didn’t just hurt them in the Bundesliga; it also compromised their Champions League campaign after Mat Hummels went off the field due to injury.

Edin Terzic was already dealing with a long list of injuries prior to their clash with RB Leipzig, and adding a pivotal cog like Hummels to his injury report doesn’t do Dortmund any favours.

It was revealed by Terzic that Hummels suffered a laceration on the shin, and the BVB head coach is confident that his centre-back will be able to suit up against PSG. “It has just been treated. He also already looks much better now, so we can assume that he should be fine to play on Wednesday,” Terzic said.

On the same injury list, Sébastien Haller is likely to miss the double clash against PSG, as the 29-year-old is still nursing an ankle injury he sustained back in April 13. Haller’s absence will greatly handicap BVB’s offence, and Terzic will look at other players to carry the offencive load against Mbappe and the rest of PSG.

History

Since 2010, these European rivals have only faced each other six times. In those games, PSG have won twice, while Dortmund have only won once and tallied a draw three times. Historically, no outfit has really dominated the other, and that theme seems like it won’t change for their upcoming bout.

This will be a Group F rematch, where both BVB and PSG clawed their way out of the ‘Group of Death’ to qualify for the knockout stages. Their group stage head-to-heads tallied a 2-0 win for PSG and a 1-1 draw.

Betting Tip

The Champions League 2024 betting odds suggest an all-out dog fight between these European rivals, as both outfits are closely priced with no glaring favourite to be boasted. BVB, despite having home advantage, are the slight underdogs at 2.55, while the visiting Ligue 1 side PSG are right there at 2.35 with a draw price of 3.51.

Personally, based on their recent form and the health of their roster, I would go with PSG at 2.35. To have the impending French top-flight champions at 2.35 screams value, and punters should really consider this as it poses both value and excitement.

 

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