They brought flares and drums, banners and tifos. They brought a fresh generation of players, unscarred by the past. They brought Kylian Mbappé, the most formidable footballer on the planet. But still it was not enough for Paris St-Germain, a club so desperate for Champions League glory yet so unable to handle the decisive moments of this competition.
One day, PSG will manage to succeed in this tournament. There is simply too much money in this institution, and too much talent in this city, for them to fail forever. For now, though, the old shortcomings continue to linger, even with a new sense of direction at the club and with a younger, more likeable team on the pitch.
On paper, Luis Enrique’s side should have been far too good for Borussia Dortmund, currently ranked fifth in the Bundesliga. And yet, on the pitch, the Germans were the better organised and more decisive team. Edin Terzic’s team came into this tie with inferior players but a greater collective strength. They are fully deserving of their place in next month’s final.
This was a night for the likes of Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck, warriors in the Dortmund defence. A night for Julian Brandt, forever scheming in midfield. A night, too, for a certain Jadon Sancho, who started this season unable to make Manchester United’s bench and ends it in a Champions League final.
These are facts that say plenty about Sancho’s talent, which once again was evident here in Paris, and also about United’s handling of that talent. Freed from the gloom of Old Trafford, Sancho is just 90 minutes away from the continent’s most prestigious trophy. Strange game, football.
There was to be no such excitement for Mbappé, who once again was outshone by opponents in yellow as Dortmund built on their first-leg win with another 1-0 victory.
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