Borussia Dortmund are “not the favourites” but can achieve “an awful lot” if they learn from their most recent defeat to Paris St-Germain when the teams meet again in the Uefa Champions League, Julian Brandt says.
The German side conceded two goals in 10 second-half minutes to lose 2-0 in Paris in their group-stage opener in September, although that proved their only defeat as they won the group by three points ahead of PSG, including taking the lead in a 1-1 draw in the return fixture in December.
Dortmund have had an underwhelming season domestically and are likely to finish outside of the Bundesliga top four but have fared far better in Europe, most recently scoring two late goals in four minutes to turn their quarter-final tie against Atletico Madrid around.
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“In Paris, our game was disastrous,” recalled midfielder Brandt, who initially drew Dortmund level against Atleti in a thrilling tie which they won 5-4.
“We didn’t give a good impression of ourselves at all. We allowed ourselves to be a bit intimidated whenever we got into any attacking situations from which we might score a goal. We didn’t play well.
“The match at home was a bit different. We knew a draw would be enough for us to win the group.
“That’s different to being in a ‘life-or-death situation’, so to speak, like we’ll have in the semi-final.”
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Dortmund v PSG: ‘Minor details’ count
PSG have comfortably retained their Ligue 1 title and won 4-1 at Barcelona to reach the semi-finals.
Luis Enrique’s team were behind on aggregate until Barca defender Ronald Araujo was dismissed during the first half of the second leg.
“Both teams are capable of achieving an awful lot,” Brandt told UEFA.com. “We’ll fancy our chances but I’m sure PSG will too.
“The only thing that will be different from the tie against Atletico will be that we play the home leg first and then go there.
“I’d say the foundation has to be laid in the first leg. It wouldn’t be right of me, though, based on the match against Atletico, to claim we are in any sort of position that we’re not: we’re not the favourites.
“It will be decided on very minor details – that’s always the way in a semi-final. We have to be careful we don’t make the same sorts of mistakes we made against Atletico.”
