for PSG, a defensive balance to be found before receiving Dortmund

In addition to the defeat in the first round (1-0), the story became more complicated for the Parisians with the withdrawal of Lucas Hernandez (28), one of the strong men this season for PSG. However, to qualify for the Champions League final at Wembley, the Parisian defense will need to be solid.

An undisputed starter in the Parisian defense alongside captain Marquinhos during key matches this season, the France international is suffering from a ruptured ACL in his left knee and will be sidelined for many months.

After being injured in the Dortmund goal in the first half, Hernandez was replaced on Wednesday by Brazilian Lucas Beraldo, prized by his coach for his line-breaking passes. But at the age of 20, he discovered matches at these dizzying heights. The options to replace Hernandez and compensate for his absence are quite limited and unconvincing recently, knowing that Presnel Kimpembe will not play this season.

Beraldo or Danilo?

To control the depth play of “BVB”, poorly controlled in the first leg as Niclas Füllkrug’s goal, Luis Enrique has to choose between the young Brazilian or the Portuguese Danilo Pereira, 32 years old.

“We conceded a goal that we shouldn’t have conceded, we said all week to watch out for Borussia’s deep passes. It’s the details that make the difference, Marquinhos said after the match. But his two teammates, who are likely to follow him in central defense, have been put in trouble recently: Beraldo during the first quarter-final against Barça and Danilo against Le Havre last Saturday, with mistakes on the Normans’ goal (3-3).

Despite this latest performance, the Portuguese has calmed down more this season in the management of depth and has more references with the captain and experience (59 games in the Champions League) than the Brazilian. Above all, he provides guarantees in the air at set pieces, where goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma can sometimes lack them.

There is also the Milan Skriniar hypothesis, but that is highly unlikely. Absent from the beginning of January to the end of March after an ankle injury, the Slovak, who arrived in Paris this summer, played only one full match, against Lorient on April 24 (4-1). The former Inter defender was severely demoted in the hierarchy due to this absence and the arrival of Lucas Beraldo this winter.

“It’s not easy to come back after three months, and especially in a team like ours because we have two or three quality players in every position,” he explained after the game in Morbihan.

Nuno Mendes still only physical

Another point of concern for Paris: the Nuno Mendes case. The Portuguese left-back, uncertain until the day before the semi-final first leg, appeared physically out of shape on Wednesday against Jadon Sancho, who hurt him with his speed and impact. The Englishman completed twelve dribbles during the match.

Like his team, Nuno Mendes lacked intensity and suffered in his defensive outings. Anyone returning from a long absence has lacked freshness. He did not appear to be able to play 100% in Dortmund, but will have had six days to prepare as best as possible for his return.