Borussia Dortmund’s concerns about injuries have eased, and coach Edin Terzić is optimistic that almost all players except two will be ready for the Champions League semifinal first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Terzić mentioned on Tuesday that left back Ramy Bensebaini and young forward Julien Duranville are confirmed to miss Wednesday’s match. However, other players who missed the recent Bundesliga game against Leipzig are expected to make a return. Emre Can and Ian Maatsen are back after serving suspensions.
“Marcel Sabitzer and Donyell Malen participated in training again yesterday,” Terzić stated. “Donyell couldn’t join in everything. Marcel felt much better and was very happy. Sébastien Haller was able to join some of the training, and we’ll assess today’s final session. Currently, we’re assuming that the players will be available tomorrow.”
Ivory Coast forward Haller has been dealing with a persistent left ankle injury.
Dortmund, who eliminated Atlético Madrid in the previous round, previously faced PSG in the group stage, losing 2-0 in Paris, drawing 1-1 at home, and finishing on top of the group.
The German team hasn’t lost any of its last 10 home games in the competition and relies on its passionate fan base, known as the “yellow wall.”
However, Terzić understands that PSG, already crowned French league champions, is determined to win the Champions League after significant investment from its Qatari owners over the years.
“They have added a very high level of quality to this team, a team that has been built to win the Champions League,” Terzić said. “At the start of the season, they may not have performed as well, but they always got results, maybe not with the performances they wanted. But they improved a lot during the first half of the season.”
Terzić believes Luis Enrique’s team is hitting its peak at the right time.
“It’s not easy to stop them, though every team tries,” Terzić said. “If you take Kylian Mbappé, for example, with his exceptional individual quality, he has now scored 43 goals in 44 games. Opponents aim to prevent him from scoring in every game. It doesn’t always work.”
It’s not just Mbappé who poses a threat. Forward Gonçalo Ramos is also a danger with his ability to head the ball, hold onto it, and run powerfully.
Ramos has been scoring regularly lately, and the 22-year-old Portuguese player praised coach Luis Enrique for creating a healthy competition for positions, which has made players much sharper.
“We never know who will start in the game,” said Ramos, who has scored 14 goals in all competitions. “That’s why we’re always prepared for anything.”
Enrique has no concerns about injuries and said the entire team is fit. He praised midfielder Vitinha, who scored in both legs of the quarterfinal against Barcelona.
“Vitinha is one of the top midfielders in the world. He can play on the wing, as a holding midfielder, and in the center,” Enrique said through a translator. “One area where he has improved, thanks to my influence, is his defensive skills.”
