Paris Saint-Germain will have the chance to reach their second-ever UEFA Champions League final when they welcome Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their semi-final, in what club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has described as “maybe the most important match since my arrival”.
If PSG are to reach their second Champions League final, and their first since 2020, they will have to overturn a one-goal deficit. Niclas Füllkrug’s first-half strike in the first leg means that Edin Terzić’s side arrive at the Parc des Princes with a lead to defend.
Notably, PSG’s hierarchy have sought to alleviate the pressure on the players this season, citing that the club is going through a period of transition under Luis Enrique. However, having been afforded a favourable draw, the chance of Champions League glory, the Holy Grail in the eyes of the club’s QSI owners, is tantalisingly real.
“We are building something for the future as well,” said Al-Khelaifi, talking to the press ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final encounter. “I am very proud of it, regardless of the result […] tomorrow, we represent PSG, Paris, and also France and all of our supporters from around the world. It is perhaps the most important match since my arrival (as president) as it will be the first (Champions League) semi-final in front of my supporters,” he added.
Al-Khelaifi, who arrived at PSG in November 2011, saw Les Parisiens reach the Champions League final – which they ultimately lost against Bayern Munich – back in 2020 but amidst the COVID-19 context, it was a fixture held behind closed doors.
Ceueilmosz
3
It's perfect time for Louise Enrique to bench Mbappe, as a way of learning to live without him, like he has always said!