After a slow start, last week’s second-leg matchup between Paris St. Germain and Borussia Dortmund went into overdrive mode as chances were plentiful. But what was most striking about this game was the tactical setups of both teams and how they were matched up. After all, styles make fights.
The Borussia Dortmund defence looked imperious whilst the PSG attack was anything but potent. Of course, there were moments of chaos for both teams which resulted in both teams losing shape. There were instances in the game where PSG could break through the Dortmund defence easily but their lacklustre finishing cost them tremendously. The French side had three shots on target in the game with Kylian Mbappe having an effort go off the post.
But make no mistake about it, this was a tactical masterclass from Edin Terzić. The usage of his players on both the flanks made the difference in the game as it seemingly was all about wing play and how Luis Enrique and PSG will need to find ways to counter that if they are to stand a chance of beating this resolute and tactically adept Dortmund side.
Dortmund was set up in the old-school 4-4-2 formation with 4-2-3-1 being the formation on paper. But Julian Brandt was high up the pitch when Borussia Dortmund was not in possession, acting as a second striker to Niclas Füllkrug. On paper, this might seem defensive, but they weren’t really that defensive.
The idea was to cut the passing lanes of PSG, pinch the ball in their half, and have Brandt and Füllkrug on their bikes leading the counter. The central principle, whether on counters or building up from the back, is to create an overload on the flanks and to outnumber the opposing players and as aforementioned, launch quick counter-attacks as they are one of the best teams in transition.
Meanwhile, Paris St. Germain understood the assignment that they’d have most of the ball despite not playing at home. Historically, Enrique’s teams have always had the preponderance of possession and it was no different this time as they boasted 58% possession on the night. The setup was to break the lines with progressive passes.
Jadon Sancho’s influence for Borussia Dortmund
One of the key cogs for Edin Terzić on the night was the deployment of Jadon Sancho. Critics have said much about the winger’s poor outings at Manchester United, his attitude, and his issues with United boss Erik ten Hag. But on the night, in a Champions League semifinal, Sancho simply looked unstoppable. He was ebullient and seems to have recovered the pace everyone thought he lost during his stint in the Premier League.
Sancho kept PSG left-back Nuno Mendes quiet on the night. Mendes provides a key outlet for the French giants when playing out from the back, but Sancho quite brilliantly neutralised him on the night. This primarily happened with the help of his teammates and by cutting the passing options to Mendes near the halfway line.
Once PSG lost their passing option to Mendes, they saw their threat down the flank minimised if not fully thwarted. What was even more unusual about this defensive diligence from Sancho is that he wasn’t necessarily always tracking back but instead cutting the passing options to Mendes and denying the Portuguese fullback from entering the Dortmund half with the ball.
While defensively, Sancho was supreme, attacking-wise, he was otherworldly. The Englishman completed thirteen of his eighteen attempted dribbles on the night, and he had seven in the first half. This was the most dribble by a Champions League player since Lionel Messi against Manchester United in the 2009 final. Cristiano Ronaldo completed twelve dribbles against Chelsea in the 2008 final. Not bad company.
With that said, the tie is far from over. Dortmund lost to PSG at Parc des Princes in the group stage of this year’s Champions League. The conditions and the mood around both clubs were drastically different then. But if Edin Terzić can continue to conjure up ways to silence this PSG attack and most importantly Kylian Mbappe, then Borussia Dortmund might just have one foot in the Champions League final.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
