Category: Soccer

Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain clash in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday night, just 24 hours after Bayern Munich and Real Madrid clashed in a pulsating game at the Allianz Arena.

Dortmund were involved the last time Wembley Stadium hosted the final of European football's most prestigious club competition, back in 2013 when they were managed by Jurgen Klopp. On that occasion, they slipped to a late 2-1 defeat to Bayern, courtesy of Arjen Robben's dramatic goal.

PSG have less Champions League pedigree, losing their only final appearance in 2020 - ironically to Bayern - but have a fantastic chance of reaching a second final against a Dortmund side who have struggled to string together results consistently during 2023/24.

That said, Edin Terzic's side have turned it on in Europe, besting PSG in a group that also contained AC Milan and Newcastle United, before beating PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid in the knockout stages.

Where to watch Borussia Dortmund vs PSG

• United States (TUDN.com, TUDN App, Univision, TUDN USA, CBS, Paramount+, Univision NOW)
• Canada (DAZN)
• United Kingdom (discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1, discovery+)

Borussia Dortmund team news

Mats Hummels is expected to be fit for Wednesday's game after a recent knock, but Ramy Bensebaini and Sebastien Haller are ruled out with respective knee and ankle injuries.

Donyell Malen has been struggling with a thigh issue but is expected to make the matchday squad, and he'll be joined by Emre Can and Ian Maatsen, who return after Bundesliga suspensions.

PSG team news

PSG have a pretty clean bill of health, certainly in the respect of key players. Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico, and Layvin Kurzawa are absent, but all three are unlikely to have been included in Luis Enrique's best XI.

Kylian Mbappe will start as a central striker - perhaps a glimpse into his future at likely next club Real Madrid - and he'll be supported in the wide areas by Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, both of whom have been in good form of late.

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG prediction

Few would have expected Borussia Dortmund to reach the last four of the Champions League, especially as their domestic form has been inconsistent to say the least.

But after seeing off Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, in front of a vibrant home crowd, they will fancy their chances of taking the game to PSG, who are still bidding to win their first Champions League after years and years of huge investment.

The visitors are favourites to win the tie overall and even the game in Germany, but they will be vulnerable on the counter attack. However, it's impossible to overlook the attacking talent that Enrique possesses, with Mbappe the obvious threat running in behind.

Score prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 PSG

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane revealed Jude Bellingham had no chance of putting him off as he prepared to take his penalty against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The game at the Allianz Arena ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Kane's penalty and Leroy Sane's first goal since October cancelling out a brace from Vinicius Junior.

Kane registered his 43rd goal of the season, punishing Lucas Vazquez's clumsy challenge on Jamal Musiala, but before he stepped up to take the spot kick, Bellingham attempted to have a word in the ear of his England teammate.

Referee Clement Turpin quickly ushered Bellingham out of the area, but Kane revealed after the game that he'd barely registered what the Ballon d'Or contender had said.

"I don't know what he was saying. I saw him mumbling something," Kane said. "Once I'm in that moment, I'm in my zone, trying to block everyone out. I'm sure he was saying something to try to put me off."

Kane's successful conversion helped Bayern turn the game around in the space of three minutes. Vinicius had capitalised on poor defending from Kim min-jae to give Madrid the lead in the first half before Sane rocketed a shot past Andriy Lunin at his near post. Bayern were unable to hold on though, with Kim making another mistake when hauling down Rodrygo to concede a penalty.

On the overall result, Kane continued: "A little disappointed. Once we got 2-1 ahead we had two or three good chances.

“This is the Champions League semi-final. We expected a tough game. Real are one of the best teams in Europe who can punish you with one or two actions. All to play for next week. We know we can have chances next week we just have to take them.

‌"We started on the front foot. Their goal came against the run of play. We struggled to play our game. Second half we played with a higher intensity. We deserved our two goals, shame we couldn't get a third.

"It's not a one-off year I'm here for. Of course at the start of the season the expectation was to win trophies. The Champions League is the biggest one. If we can somehow get our hands on that one it would be an amazing season.