Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) kicked off their Champions League campaign in style with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes.
Kylian Mbappe’s penalty and a goal by Achraf Hakimi sealed the win for the French champions in a Group F encounter that immediately put them in control.
Touchaheart Nigeria reports on the match and the key moments that led to PSG’s impressive start to the tournament.
Dominance in Possession
From the outset, PSG displayed their dominance in possession, controlling nearly 80 percent of the ball during the first half.
The Dortmund defense, with a five-man backline, struggled to contain PSG’s attacking prowess.
The intricate build-up play in the 19th minute saw Vitinha hitting the upright, coming closest to opening the scoring.
Mbappe’s Penalty Breakthrough
The decisive moment arrived just four minutes into the second half.
Kylian Mbappe struck a shot that hit Dortmund’s Niklas Suele’s arm, leading to a penalty awarded by the referee, Jesus Gil Manzano.
Although the decision seemed somewhat harsh, Mbappe calmly stepped up and converted the spot-kick, marking his eighth goal of the season.
Hakimi’s Memorable Goal
PSG continued their relentless pursuit of goals, and their efforts paid off in the 58th minute.
Vitinha and Achraf Hakimi combined brilliantly, allowing Hakimi to run through and prod the ball home from close range.
While it was an excellent goal, Hakimi benefited from Dortmund’s Mats Hummels’ decision to go to ground rather than making an attempt to block the shot.
Dortmund’s Struggles
Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match.
The absence of key players like Jude Bellingham and Sebastien Haller, who was dropped by coach Edin Terzic, hindered their performance.
Dortmund must regroup quickly as they prepare to face AC Milan in what promises to be a challenging group.
PSG’s New Era
PSG is currently in the early stages of a new era following the departures of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Marco Verratti, as well as the arrival of coach Luis Enrique.
Enrique, who previously won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, emphasized the need for time to implement his ideas with the new squad.
The match against Dortmund featured five new signings in PSG’s lineup, including Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani in attack.
What You Should Know
In the Champions League opener, Paris Saint-Germain showcased their intent with a convincing 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Kylian Mbappe’s penalty and Achraf Hakimi’s memorable goal set the tone for a dominant PSG performance.
While Dortmund faces challenges in adapting to life without key players, PSG’s new era under Luis Enrique appears promising.
The result places PSG in control of Group F, and they will look to build on this performance when they face English side Newcastle United in their next encounter.
