PSG 2-0 Dortmund – Player Ratings as “Magnificent” Vitinha shows his class
PSG started their 2023/24 Champions League with a win against Dortmund in Paris.
Second half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi ensured the French side sit top of Group F after matchday 1, in a comfortable evening in Paris for Luis Enrique’s men.
After an opening 45-minutes of limited chances, the French side burst into life just four minutes in the second half as Ousmane Dembele’s turn of pace and pass found Kylian Mbappe free inside the box and his wayward shot was blocked by the arm of Niklas Sule. The Frenchman made no mistake from the spot giving Kobel no chance, despite the keeper going the right way.
Former Dortmund player Achraf Hakimi doubled his side’s lead just nine minutes later after some fantastic build up play with Vitinha, sending the defender for the hot dog before poking past the goalkeeper to put the game to bed. The Moroccan became just the third different player to both score for and against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League after Erling Haaland and Ciro Immobile.
PSG’s last 34 #UCL home group stage games:
WWWWDWWWWWDWDWDWWWWDWWWWLWWWWWWDWW
Just one loss since 2012. ? pic.twitter.com/bJCB6E8wpc
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 19, 2023
Here’s how the players rated at Parc de Princes:
PSG
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7 – A quiet evening for Italy’s number one, saving the only shot he faced that was straight at him.
Achraf Hakimi – 8 – Scored against his former side after combining superbly with Vitinha, feinting to open up the space before poking past Kobel. Completed 100% of his three take-ons, won 100% of his two tackles and showed the calmness of a veteran striker for his goal.
Marquinhos – 7 – A comfortable evening for the Brazilian.
Milan Skriniar – 7 – Didn’t have an awful lot to do but what he did, he did well.
Lucas Hernandez – 7 – Won more duels than any other PSG player (8/10) and bombed down the left-hand side looking to get involved.
Vitinha – 9 – Magnificent. Smashed the inside of the post from just inside the box in the first half and was incredibly unlucky not to score. Played a beautiful one-two with Hakimi for him to score against his old side and had some exquisite touches around the opposition box, not allowing Dortmund to get anywhere near him.
So calm on the ball, making everything look so easy and was key in the PSG build up, always making the correct decisions.
Manuel Ugarte – 7 – The perfect Marco Verratti replacement. A vital cog in this PSG side, winning the ball back and allowing the more creative players to do their thing. Finshed the game with a 100% pass accuracy.
Warren Zaire-Emery – 8.5 – Hard to believe that he’s just 17 years of age. A superb display from the teenager, stepping up on the biggest stage in European football, looking so comfortable in the PSG midfield and reads the game so, so well.
Ousmane Dembele – 7.5 – His change of pace in the build up to the penalty was key to unlocking the Dortmund defence. Created six chances, more than any other player on the pitch and his most in a single game in the competition.
Randal Kolo Muani – 5.5 – A quiet evening for the striker, failing to have a shot on target.
Kylian Mbappe – 7 – Made no mistake from the spot, giving Gregor Kobel no chance to make it 41 goals in just 62 Champions League appearances. Missed several late chances to add to his tally however.
PSG have now scored in 45 consecutive Champions League group stage games.
The last team to keep a clean sheet against them? Real Madrid in 2015. ⏮#UCL
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 19, 2023
Substitutes:
Goncalo Ramos (for Kolo Muani 80′) – N/A – A late sub.
Lee Kang-in (for Vitinha 80′) – N/A – A late sub.
Danilo Pereira (for Hernandez 88′) – N/A – A late sub.
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Dortmund
Gregor Kobel – 6 – Guessed the right way for Mbappe’s penalty but had no chance of reaching it. Could do nothing about either goal.
Niklas Sule – 5 – Gave away the penalty, blocking Mbappe’s shot with his arm and was run ragged.
Mats Hummels – 6 – A tough night for the centre-back but never gave up.
Nico Schlotterbeck – 5.5 – Was sloppy in possession in the early stages, but prepared to put his body on the line for his side. Booked for a strong tackle on Ousmane Dembele.
Marius Wolf – 6 – Had the incredibly tough job of trying to keep Kylian Mbappe at bay and didn’t do too bad of a job all things considered.
Julian Brandt – 5.5 – Struggled to get involved in the game, before being replaced with 62 minutes on the clock.
Emre Can – 7 – Made a fantastic recovery run to deny Ousmane Dembele when the Frenchmen was away, in a tough tackling captain’s performance for his side.
Marcel Sabitzer – N/A – Subbed after just 14 minutes after pulling up.
Julian Ryerson – 6 – Struggled to deal with Dembele, but did look to get Dortmund forward.
Donyell Malen – 6 – Beat several players in the first half with a fantastic spin before driving at the PSG defence, but fired his shot straight at Donnarumma. Showed some glimpses before being replaced on the hour mark.
Karim Adeyemi – 7 – Created more chances than any of his teammates (4) and looked Dortmund’s most dangerous player going forward.
Substitutes:
Felix Nmecha (for Sabitzer 14′) – 7 – Put himself about, winning more duels than any of his teammates, whilst also making two tackles and creating two chances for the German side.
Niclas Fullkrug (for Malen 62′) – 6 – Never looked like scoring with any of his three shots.
Marco Reus (for Brandt 62′) – 6 – Couldn’t get into the game.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (for Can 77′) – N/A – A late sub.
Ramy Bensebaini (for Wolf 77′) – N/A – A late sub.
