Dortmund's Fuellkrug makes a point, outshining Mbappe

DORTMUND, Germany — Niclas Fuellkrug gave Borussia Dortmund a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League semifinal first leg on Wednesday as the journeyman striker outshone superstar Kylian Mbappe.

Seeking a return to the final for the first time since 2013, the 1997 winner was dogged and determined, outmuscling its heavily favored opponent in front of more than 80,000 fans.

Fuellkrug, playing in his first Champions League season at the age of 31, collected a lofted pass from centerback Nico Schlotterbeck in the 36th minute and blasted a low shot into the left corner of the net.

PSG, led by Mbappe, hit the post twice in quick succession early in the second-half but could not break through.

"I think we today showed a classic team performance. Each helped the other to win the game. We needed a bit of luck a couple of times, but we can be very satisfied with our performance," said long-serving centerback Mats Hummels.

"It was a very satisfying, very grown-up performance from us."

Dortmund, who had already lost and drawn against PSG this season in the group stage, can continue to dream of a return to Wembley 11 years after its last Champions League final.

Despite the setback, however, PSG will remain confident of overturning the deficit at home next week against a side it thoroughly outclassed in Paris in September.

"The Parc (PSG's stadium) and our supporters give us hope for the second leg, and we know we can do much better," PSG captain Marquinhos told Canal Plus.

Dortmund manager Edin Terzic said before the match that PSG was "built to win the Champions League" since its Qatari takeover a decade ago.

Nowhere was the contrast between the two clubs greater than PSG's global superstar Mbappe, playing in his last season for his hometown club, and journeyman Dortmund striker Fuellkrug, who was playing second-division soccer this time two years ago.

PSG coach Luis Enrique is hopeful his side will still reach the final.

"It's football. Very often it is marvelous, and other times it is like this. We would have preferred to be in a different situation, but I think when you look at it, it was a very even game," the Spaniard told broadcaster Canal Plus

"Nobody ever said it was going to be easy in the semifinals of the Champions League. The boys in the dressing room are a bit down. We had one chance where we hit both posts," Enrique added.

"You have to say this is an exceptional stadium, but I am sure we will be very strong in Paris and we have nothing to lose."

First past the post

Spurred on by a passionate home crowd, which booed and whistled every Mbappe touch, Dortmund had the best of the opening stages, Jadon Sancho shining down the right flank.

Marcel Sabitzer had Dortmund's best chance for an opener after 14 minutes, blasting straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma from a tight angle.

The breakthrough came after 36 minutes thanks to some superb oldschool forward play from Fuellkrug.

Centerback Schlotterbeck had the ball well in his own half and thought about a safe pass back to the keeper, but instead punted it forward, with only Fuellkrug showing awareness to the possibility.

The striker controlled the ball with a deft touch and drilled a low shot past a helpless Donnarumma.

Fresh from wrapping up the Ligue 1 title at the weekend, PSG had few chances in the opening half, despite its attacking riches, registering zero shots on target.

The visitors, however, sprung to life after halftime, Mbappe rattling the inside of one post seconds before former Dortmund wingback Achraf Hakimi rattled the inside of the other.

PSG should have equalized after 56 minutes, Marquinhos curled a beautiful pass through a crowded Dortmund box, but Fabian Ruiz's diving header went wide.

Another former Dortmund player Ousmane Dembele blasted over right in front of goal with 10 minutes remaining.

With moments left, the impressive Sancho laid on an excellent pass for Julian Brandt, but Dortmund's hopes of a second were snuffed out by some desperate PSG defending.

The victory, along with Tuesday's 2-2 draw between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the other semifinal, guarantees Germany, rather than England or France, an extra Champions League place for next season, securing Dortmund's participation again next year.

AFP