DORTMUND, Germany — Borussia Dortmund don’t rely on big-name stars to shine. While other Champions League semifinalists have players like Vinícius Júnior, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé as their main attractions, Dortmund’s strength lies in their collective spirit and teamwork. Against all odds, they’re now one game away from reaching the final.
Their 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in Dortmund on Wednesday puts them within touching distance of the Champions League final. If BVB can avoid defeat in Paris in the return leg next week, they’ll be set for a showdown at Wembley, either against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Even if they reach the final, they’ll be seen as the underdogs—but they don’t seem to mind. They defied the odds against Atletico Madrid in the previous round and advanced from a group that included Newcastle United, AC Milan, and PSG. Now, they’re just 90 minutes away from a chance at Europe’s most prestigious football trophy.
Mats Hummels earned the Man of the Match award, while Jadon Sancho was in sensational form. However, Borussia Dortmund’s coach, Edin Terzic, emphasized the importance of teamwork over individual performances. He was more focused on praising the team’s collective spirit after the match, stating, “It was a well-deserved win, a good team performance. We could have scored more goals, but so could they. That’s why the result is OK from my point of view. We ran a lot, but that’s necessary in a game like this. You have to earn your way to Wembley.”
PSG have made a habit of acquiring stars under their wealthy Qatari ownership, while Dortmund have often seen their best players leave for bigger clubs. Players like Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, and Robert Lewandowski have all moved on to greener pastures. Despite the talent drain, Terzic has crafted a squad that works together as a unit, proving that a team can be more than the sum of its parts. BVB’s winning goal came from Niclas Füllkrug, a 31-year-old striker signed from Werder Bremen for €15 million over the summer.
The assist for Füllkrug’s goal came from defender Nico Schlotterbeck, acquired for €20 million from Freiburg in 2022. In midfield, Emre Can—who had previously played for Liverpool and Juventus—and Marcel Sabitzer—once deemed not good enough for Bayern Munich or Manchester United—stood out. Veteran defender Hummels, back at Dortmund after a stint with Bayern, provided experience and calmness, expertly handling Mbappé’s speed and agility.
Left-back Ian Maatsen, on loan from Chelsea after previous spells in England’s lower leagues, held his own. Sancho’s return to Dortmund in January, after a falling out with Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag, paid dividends. His performance against PSG was remarkable, with 12 successful dribbles—the most in a Champions League semifinal since Lionel Messi in 2008.
PSG had their chances, hitting the inside of the post twice, but they couldn’t find the back of the net. Despite Mbappé’s relatively quiet night, his every touch kept the 88,000 Dortmund fans on edge. When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted in celebration, as the Yellow Wall—the iconic section of Dortmund’s passionate supporters—celebrated with the players.
PSG’s coach, Luis Enrique, acknowledged the difficulty of playing in Dortmund’s intense atmosphere, saying, “Everybody knew that this wasn’t going to be easy. This is the semifinal of the Champions League.” Despite the setback, Enrique remained hopeful, citing PSG’s comeback against Barcelona in the previous round and their 2-0 win over Dortmund in the group stage.
However, Dortmund’s underdog story has put them in a prime position. If they can secure a win or a draw in Paris, they’ll be on their way to Wembley, proving that success isn’t always about having the biggest stars—sometimes, it’s about having the best team.
