Karim Adeyemi helps Borussia Dortmund secure top spot in UEFA Champions League
Karim Adeyemi was on the scoresheet as Borussia Dortmund secured top spot in UEFA Champions League Group F with a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund may have already booked their place in the knockouts thanks to their 3-1 victory in Milan last time out, but they were in no mood to relax here as they took the game to their opponents early on. Marco Reus saw a shot from just outside the area saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Marius Wolf fired narrowly wide in the box when he should really have hit the target. It took the Ligue 1 champions about 15 minutes to settle into the encounter, but once they did, they threatened on numerous occasions. Kang-In Lee somehow tapped beyond the post from Randal Kolo Muani's cross, before Niklas Süle produced a stunning goalline clearance to keep out Kylian Mbappé. Bradley Barcola then hit the woodwork, ex-Eintracht Frankfurt man Kolo Muani was inches away from finding the bottom corner with a toe poke, and Gregor Kobel denied the same man with an important stop. BVB did have further opportunities of their own - Donnarumma kept out Reus and Salih Özcan, and Adeyemi could not control the rebound from the latter's attempt - but Edin Terzić's men were lucky not to be behind at the break.
Although there were no goals in the opening period, two arrived before the hour mark. Julian Brandt had already had a shot saved before Adeyemi swept into the back of the net to give his side the advantage, but that lead lasted less than five minutes. Warren Zaïre-Emery was the goalscorer, firing beyond Kobel with a pinpoint drive from just inside the box. The game then slowed down for arguably the first time in the match, with Özcan adding to Dortmund's injury problems as he was forced off to be replaced by Marcel Sabitzer. Mbappé couldn't quite find the bottom corner with a well-hit attempt and, although he did have the ball in the back of the net shortly after, it was ruled out for offside. Barcola had another attempt kept out by Kobel later on, but in the end, neither side could find a winner. Ultimately, though, both sides will be relatively happy, as PSG also booked their place in the knockouts with the point. For the hosts, this was a good response to the 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig last time out, and they can now be confident as they head into the next stage of the competition as section winners.
Match stats
Adeyemi made his 50th appearance for Dortmund in this encounter.
That was only Adeyemi's second goal of the season with both having come in the Champions League.
Eleven points is Dortmund's best return in the group stage of the Champions League since the 2020/21 term, when they managed 13.
Only Real Sociedad (two) have conceded fewer goal's in this season's competition than the Black-Yellows.
Reus pulled on a Dortmund shirt for the 408th time, which sees him move into the top five in the club's all-time appearances list.
PSG's Kolo Muani has now failed to find the back of the net in any of his four games against Dortmund.
Champions League Group F, Matchday 6 Group F, Matchday 6 Signal Iduna Park
90'
+ 7
Full-time: Borussia Dortmund 1-1 PSG
Dortmund secure top spot in the group with a draw against PSG! After a goalless but brilliant first 45 minutes, Karim Adeyemi broke the deadlock shortly after the interval. Warren Zaïre-Emery then equalised before the hour mark, but Dortmund saw out the rest of the game professionally.
Dortmund's lead doesn't last long, and it is 17-year-old Zaïre-Emery who restores parity, burying into the bottom corner from just inside the box with aplomb.
It is the hosts who have the first goal of this match! Some great work from Hummels and Füllkrug down the left creates an opportunity for Adeyemi, who keeps composure to score on his 50th appearance for the club. As it stands, Dortmund will top the group!
A fierce drive from the forward travels goalwards, but it is straight at Kobel, and he gobbles the ball up.
46'
We're back up and running
We have 45 minutes left in this exhilarating match.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 1
Half-time: Dortmund 0-0 PSG
A hugely entertaining 45 minutes come to a close, and it is still goalless. Both sides had countless chances to break the deadlock, but a combination and fantastic goalkeeping and not-quite-clinical finishing means it is still all to play for after the interval.
The final chance of the half is Hummels', but the German heads agonisingly wide.
45'
Great stop
Kobel comes to the rescue once more, keeping out Kolo Muani's low attempt. The Dortmund goalkeeper has been busy so far!
40'
Five minutes left
It is quite remarkable that we haven't had a goal here. Five minutes left for that to change before the interval.
39'
Newcastle ahead
In the Group's over game, Newcastle have taken the lead against AC Milan through Joelinton. That could be bad news for PSG if Dortmund go in front, as Newcastle would then overtake them thanks to their head-to-head record.
32'
Huge double opportunity!
Dortmund have more chances to go in front, as Özcan has an attempt from distance saved before Adeyemi can't keep the rebound down. You can't take your eyes off of this one.
26'
Donnarumma thwarts Reus
This is more like it from the hosts. A bouncing ball finds Reus in the box, and his reactive volley is pushed behind for a corner by the Italian goalkeeper. Somehow, we're still all square!
24'
Kolo Muani inches away
Dortmund are lucky not to be behind here. Kolo Muani is the latest to have a real chance, and his poke beyond Kobel trickles narrowly wide.
21'
Hernández shoots over
Another shot from PSG, although this one from the former Bayern Munich sails over the bar.
20'
Post!
Dortmund are living dangerously, as PSG hit the woodwork. Another quick break finds its way to Barcola, who curls an effort onto the post from just inside the area. Kobel had no chance there!
PSG are causing problems now, and Mbappé almost has his side in front. Süle, though, does absolutely brilliantly to clear the Frenchman's shot for a corner after he rounded Kobel. That looked like a certain goal!
16'
Huge chance!
A fantastic opening for PSG at the other end, as a Kolo Muani cross finds Lee in acres of space on the edge of the six-yard box. However, he cannot find the target - he should really have done better there.
14'
Wolf fires wide
A brilliant opportunity for Dortmund to take the lead. Reus releases Wolf in a central area, but the right-back misses the target.
12'
Kobel gets down well
PSG now try their look at the other end, but the captain is equal to Vitinha's effort from long-range. Both teams starting to find their range now.
10'
Reus denied
A first shot on target of the game, as Donnarumma does well to get to the Dortmund star's left-footed low volley.
3'
Positive start
BVB are in no mood to let PSG dictate the game here, showing plenty of energy and intensity early on.
1'
We're up and running!
We have kicked off here in Dortmund!
Kick-off!
Players on the pitch
Kick-off is just moments away!
Just over 10 minutes to go
Not long before this mouth-watering clash gets underway.
Dortmund's backline to remain secure?
In European competition this term, Dortmund have been solid at the back. They conceded two in the opening game against tonight's opponents, but have shipped just once in the four games since. Only Real Sociedad have been breached on fewer occasions (two).
Dortmund team news
Edin Terzić, meanwhile, makes three changes to the team that lost 3-2 at home to RB Leipzig. Mats Hummels' suspension does not carry over to European fixtures, meaning he starts here, but he is partnered by Niklas Süle rather than Nico Schlotterbeck. Marius Wolf comes in for Thomas Meunier, while the suspended Emre Can is replaced by Karim Adeyemi, with Julian Brandt dropping back into midfield as a result.
Luis Enrique makes four changes to the side that beat Nantes in Ligue 1 at the weekend. The name that will attract Bundesliga fans' attention is of course former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani, who starts up top as Enrique slightly tweaks the formation. Goalkeeper Arnau Tenas makes way for Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Danilo, Carlos Soler and Manuel Ugarte all also make way. Milan Škriniar and Warren Zaïre-Emery are the other two to come into the side.
UEFA's official site quotes Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos as part of their coverage ahead of tonight's Group F encounter. The Brazil international said, "If I thought this team didn't have the character to win, I would have stayed at home. Everyone is ready for a big match tomorrow. This is the type of match that everyone wants to play. Destiny is in our hands."
2:01
Bynoe-Gittens key?
He's been in quite some form of late and Dortmund's England attacker Jamie Bynoe-Gittens will be hopeful of a fourth 2023/24 Champions League appearance in Black-and-Yellow against PSG. The incredibly-talented 19-year-old was recently on target in European club football's elite competition when Dortmund defeated AC Milan 3-1 away on Matchday 5.
Early team news
Felix Nmecha, Julian Ryerson and Youssoufa Moukoko are all out injured for the hosts tonight while captain Emre Can is suspended. Coach Terzic will wait on the fitness of Marius Wolf and Marcel Sabitzer, however, striker Sebastien Haller is back in the Dortmund fold.
"We want to win"
"[PSG] know that they need a win to progress safely to the next round, but they also know that we want to win," Dortmund coach Edin Terzic said in the build-up to this evening's game. "The third and fourth-placed teams can also still qualify [so] it's going to be exciting right to the end," the tactician added, in quotes appearing on BVB's official website.
As well as aiming to secure top spot in the group, BVB will also be keen on revenge against a PSG side that won the teams' corresponding fixture on Matchday 1. Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi were on target at the Parc des Princes in a 2-0 Paris win back in September.
3:40
Signal Iduna Park awaits
Those lucky enough to have a ticket for tonight's game are all set for an incredible experience at the world famous Signal Iduna Park. Check out this must-see fan experience from Dortmund's cathedral of football.
BVB already through
What an immense feat by Edin Terzic's side to already get through the so-called Group of Death with a game to spare. The next challenge for the Bundesliga giants will to be to finish as section winners and they can achieve that by avoiding defeat at the Signal Iduna Park against the Ligue 1 leaders.
A very warm bundesliga.com welcome to all of you joining us for coverage of Borussia Dortmund's final Champions League Group F encounter against Paris Saint-Germain!
