The Parc des Princes will host a thrilling Champions League clash as Paris Saint-Germain take on Borussia Dortmund. This matchup brings together two attacking-minded teams who both have dreams of conquering Europe this season.

PSG have retooled their squad after yet another disappointing European exit last campaign. With Messi and Neymar gone, new manager Luis Enrique has built a balanced team centered around the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe. But PSG has yet to be truly tested this season.

Dortmund posed a stern test indeed. They may have lost Jude Bellingham, but Marco Reus and summer arrivals like Felix Nmecha make BVB a handful going forward. Dortmund's high press could also trouble PSG's defense.

This has all the makings of a goal-filled thriller. Both sides want to make an early statement in their Champions League group. Who will emerge victorious when these two attacking powers collide?

PSG vs Dortmund

The match will take place on Tuesday, September 19th, 2023, at Parc des Princes, in Paris, France.

Big Names Out the Door for PSG

The 2023 summer transfer window has seen some major shakeups at Paris Saint-Germain. After another disappointing Champions League exit last season, it was clear that big changes were needed if PSG wanted to finally achieve their goal of winning Europe's biggest club competition.

Messi Departs for MLS

The biggest news of course was Lionel Messi leaving the club after just two seasons to join David Beckham's MLS franchise Inter Miami. PSG will have massive shoes to fill in replacing Messi's contributions on the pitch and his commercial value off it.

Neymar Finally Makes PSG Exit

Another huge departure was Neymar, who after years of rumors and drama finally made his way out of Paris. The talented but divisive Brazilian joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in a lucrative deal. 

New Attacking Talent Brought In

With their two biggest stars gone, PSG knew they needed to make some marquee signings this summer to retool the squad. They started up front by acquiring the young French striker Hugo Ekitike. The Parisians also brought in Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona to add some speed and dribbling ability on the wing. 

The club further reinforced their attack by signing Goncalo Ramos, the Portuguese striker who impressed at the World Cup. 

Midfield was strengthened by the arrivals of Marco Asensio and Manuel Ugarte. Asensio provides versatility and technical ability in the center or wings, while Ugarte is a tenacious ball-winner who can allow other midfielders more freedom to get forward. 

In defense, PSG moved quickly to sign Milan Skriniar on a free transfer. Presnel Kimpembe has also remained at the back after rumors of a departure. Perhaps the biggest addition though is Lucas Hernandez, who joined his brother Theo in leaving Bayern Munich for Paris. 

Some fringe players were offloaded like Abdou Diallo, Mauro Icardi, and Leandro Paredes, while several youngsters went out on loan as well to continue their development.

New Era for PSG

The overall impression of PSG's summer business is quite positive. They addressed clear needs in attack, midfield, and defense with smart signings who have experience at the highest levels. The balance between promising young players and proven veterans looks good on paper. 

The pressure is immense to finally break through in the Champions League, but this retooled squad has the talent to go toe-to-toe with Europe's elite clubs. Mbappe sticking around was critical, and the new attackers should ease the creative burden on him. 

Pressure On for UCL Glory

The 2022-23 season was painful for PSG and their supporters. But if these new signings can mesh well, then maybe this is the year it finally comes together for the Parisians on the continent. There are never any guarantees when trying to build a Champions League-winning side. But PSG has been among the most active clubs this summer and looks well-equipped for the challenges that lie ahead. The Messi/Neymar era is over, and now the club seeks to carve a new path to success.

Ruthless Squad Overhaul at Borussia Dortmund

The 2024 summer transfer window saw Borussia Dortmund undergo a major squad overhaul as they looked to rebuild after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. Dortmund knew they needed to make significant changes to close the gap on Bayern Munich domestically while also improving their Champions League fortunes.

Bellingham Gets Big Money Move

The biggest outgoing was of course Jude Bellingham, as the English starlet finally got his big money move to Real Madrid for €103 million. Bellingham had been a revelation in his few years at Dortmund, establishing himself as one of the top young midfielders in Europe. 

Funds Reinvested on Nmecha

The biggest transfer expenditure went toward signing forward Felix Nmecha from Wolfsburg. He should help make up for some of the goals lost by Erling Haaland's departure last year.

Midfield Bolstered

Midfield was strengthened by the arrivals of Marcel Sabitzer and Ramy Bensebaini. Sabitzer brings Bundesliga experience and flexibility to play centrally or wide-right

The loan addition of midfielder Tiago Estevão also raised some eyebrows. The 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder has been eyed by many top clubs around Europe and could end up being a steal if he impresses on loan at Dortmund.

Exciting New Era Emerging

Overall, Dortmund's transfers addressed clear needs across the pitch. Losing Bellingham hurts of course, but the funds generated from his sale were reinvested smartly. This squad looks well-equipped to compete on multiple fronts with a good blend of emerging talents and established difference-makers like Nmecha, Sabitzer, and Füllkrug.

Predicted Lineups

PSG: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Lucas Hernández, Milan Skriniar, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, Manuel Ugarte, Warren Zaire-Emery, Kylian Mbappé, Marco Asensio, Ousmane Dembélé

Dortmund: Gregor Kobel, Ramy Bensebaini, Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Marius Wolf, Julian Brandt, Emre Can, Marcel Sabitzer, Karim Adeyemi, Sébastien Haller, Donyell Malen

Key Battles

• Mbappe vs Schlotterbeck

The clash between Mbappe and Dortmund's center-backs will be critical. Nico Schlotterbeck must limit the French superstar's space behind.

• Adeyemi vs Hakimi

Dortmund's wingers Ansgar Knauff and Karim Adeyemi will try to isolate PSG fullbacks Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.