For the fans it is the biggest spectacle in eleven years, for the professionals it is a historic opportunity. Before the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, the whole of Dortmund is longing for another magical night of football.
The prospect of a final at the iconic English venue Wembley, like the one in 2013 against FC Bayern Munich, should help the team once again have a great moment at the near end of what has so far been a poor Bundesliga season. The fact that BVB goes into the first leg on Wednesday (9 p.m./DAZN) as outsiders contributes to greater determination. “Via Paris to Wembley? That is of course the goal. Not saying that would be nonsense,” said goalscorer Niclas Füllkrug.
Similar to the brilliant quarter-final performance against Atlético Madrid (4:2) two weeks ago, the fifth-placed team wants to make people forget their many staid performances in the league. However, it takes a lot of imagination to imagine how they want to beat an opponent like Paris, with offensive stars like Kylian Mbappé and former Dortmund player Ousmane Dembélé, just four days after their terrible performance in Leipzig (1:4).
“We have proven that we can switch very quickly. We have a huge game ahead of us,” commented goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Edin Terzić and Sebastian Kehl also believe in the inspiring effect of the international spotlight. “We’re not stupid either. We know what’s going to happen on Wednesday and what chance we have there,” said the coach. The sports director agreed: “The whole of Germany is looking forward to this game. We will approach it with maximum concentration.”
Özcan: Paris does not have superior power
With all due respect to the opponent, everyone involved believes in a realistic chance. “There are now three games left in the Champions League: the first and second leg in the semi-finals and the final. We want to play every one of them,” said midfielder Salih Özcan to the German Press Agency. “Paris is a really good opponent, but not a superior force that we can’t beat.”
The sovereign league leader in Ligue 1, who secured their twelfth championship title early on Sunday without any involvement of their own and benefited from the slip-up of their pursuer from Monaco, was already an opponent in the group phase. Terzić does not see the fact that his team was unsuccessful in the two games (0:2/1:1) as a bad omen. “We managed to stay in the group ahead of them. I also think we are a much more stable team than we were in September and December.” Dortmund want to prove that in the third duel this season with the French. “It’s about time for a win,” said playmaker Julian Brandt.
Kehl: Champions League place in your own hands
There is another reason for BVB to put in a lot of effort. After all, a success on the Wednesday before the second leg on May 7th could make a significant contribution to the Bundesliga securing fifth place in the premier class for the coming season. If the German semi-final participants from Dortmund, Munich (both Champions League) and Leverkusen (Europa League) had two more victories in the current competition, the last doubts about second place in the UEFA annual rankings would also be dispelled. The biggest beneficiary could be BVB. “We have it in our own hands to make fifth place a Champions League place for us,” said sports director Kehl.
To the relief of football teacher Terzić, the selection of personnel is larger again. Emre Can and Ian Maatsen, who are still suspended in Leipzig, could return to the starting eleven. However, full-back Maatsen’s comeback is still questionable due to muscular problems. In addition, Marcel Sabitzer, who recently had a cold, should be an option again. It is still unclear whether defense chief Mats Hummels, who was recently strong on the big stage, will be available again after the tear in his shin he suffered in Leipzig. “I hope it won’t be that problematic,” said Kehl. However, it seems unlikely that attacker Donyell Malen, who has been sorely missed for weeks, will be fit in time.
