PSG stay a stage under the elite. They’ve misplaced all 4 legs of their two-legged Champions League semis within the QSI period, in opposition to Manchester Metropolis in 2020-21 and now Dortmund in 2023-24.
This failure will significantly sting, having failed to attain in opposition to the fifth-placed facet within the Bundesliga regardless of having 44 pictures in two video games. It’s the highest variety of pictures a group has had with out scoring in a two-legged Champions League tie since Opta information started in 2003-04.
They hit the put up six instances within the tie, together with 4 instances within the second half in Paris. Warren Zaire-Emery was punished for contriving to strike the upright with the purpose gaping as Mats Hummels arrowed in a towering header to attain for Dortmund shortly after.
Nuno Mendes hit the woodwork from distance, earlier than each Mbappe and Vitinha struck the bar within the closing minutes.
It’s yet one more instance of PSG missing high quality when it issues most within the Champions League, with their greatest names – Mbappe, on this case – failing to ship when it counts.
“You must give Dortmund huge credit score, they did not permit Mbappe to get one v one,” Ferdinand stated.
“However the massive gamers simply normally discover a second.”
There are some constructive indicators for PSG. They’ve proven spectacular preventing spirit to even get this far within the 2023-24 Champions League, not least in recovering from a 4-1 shellacking at Newcastle within the group stage.
A 98th-minute Mbappe penalty snatched some extent within the reverse fixture in opposition to the Magpies, which proved decisive in incomes them second place in Group F, behind Dortmund however forward of AC Milan.
They then launched a outstanding second-leg comeback to beat Barcelona within the quarter-final, displaying a mix of silk and metal within the picture of their supervisor Luis Enrique.
He’s clearly planning for the longer term. At 24 years and 157 days, PSG had the youngest beginning XI for a Champions League semi-final match since Arsenal of their second leg in opposition to Manchester United in 2008-09.
“I am comfortable from what I noticed from my group,” Luis Enrique advised his post-match media convention. “An actual spirit. A group that gave every little thing.
“The supporters had been unbelievable. I hope now we have this togetherness going ahead. Gamers that sweat for the shirt.”
A brand new period is dawning at PSG. Whether or not it could actually keep away from the failures of the previous stays to be seen.