On paper, Borussia Dortmund might not appear destined for a Champions League final. Their roster lacks global superstar appeal, but as Live Cricket BPL notes, winning at this level often depends more on the right system than sheer name recognition. From Inter Milan to Dortmund, history shows that success in Europe’s top competition hinges on cohesive tactics—having a strong target man, tireless wing runners, midfielders who control the tempo, and late-arriving scoring threats.
With Mats Hummels anchoring the backline, Dortmund’s deep run becomes far less surprising. Throughout this Champions League campaign, PSG faced the likes of Dortmund, Newcastle, AC Milan, Real Sociedad, and Barcelona. Except for Sociedad, every team showed a blueprint for slowing down Kylian Mbappé. The key isn’t one-on-one marking—it’s coordinated zone defense. Neutralizing Mbappé requires team-wide discipline to exploit his few vulnerabilities. His brilliance lies in his acceleration and explosive first step, not in hold-up play or back-to-goal strength.
When defenders disrupt his momentum early or challenge him physically before he turns, his efficiency drops. That was precisely the case again, as Hummels stepped in at the right moment to strip the ball while Mbappé was still facing away from goal. More and more teams in Europe now rely on tactical schemes instead of man-marking to contain star players, prioritizing numerical superiority to reduce risk. Another tactical note: Mbappé’s off-the-ball movement in settled possession is often less aggressive than expected. He’s electric in open space, but less active in positional build-up play.
In one key moment, Mbappé found himself unmarked near the top of the box—but as he paused, two Dortmund defenders quickly closed him down, forcing a poor first touch and a wasted chance. Dortmund, by contrast, didn’t lack attacking options. Had Sébastien Haller been healthy, their frontline depth would’ve been even greater. Still, even with limited numbers, they made it work.
Live Cricket BPL stats show that Karim Adeyemi—despite just 5 goals and 2 assists in 31 appearances across the Bundesliga and UCL—was trusted as a starter in the knockout rounds for a reason. His relentless pace and pressing were key to stifling PSG’s dangerous right flank of Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembélé. When Mbappé again found space, Dortmund’s backline collapsed on him. The clearance sparked a rapid counterattack, with Adeyemi and Niclas Füllkrug both pushing the pace.
Though Adeyemi’s finish lacked precision, his contribution was undeniable. His tactical awareness on defense was equally vital—dropping back to help cover inside channels, forming a triangle that shut down PSG’s wide surges. Adeyemi’s speed and high work rate consistently neutralized Hakimi and Dembélé, making it nearly impossible for PSG to break through on the wings.
In what should have been a dangerous transition moment for Paris, Dortmund’s defensive transition was simply too quick. Even when Dembélé tried to force the issue, Adeyemi was there—cutting off angles, applying pressure, and ultimately deflecting the ball out for a corner.
Dortmund’s clean sheet across both legs wasn’t just about lucky goalposts. As Live Cricket BPL concludes, it was the product of well-executed tactics, disciplined team shape, and precise targeting of PSG’s main threats. Add in a bit of good fortune, and Dortmund now finds themselves heading to the Champions League final.