Champions League picks, predictions, schedule: PSG complete comeback against Borussia Dortmund, according to experts

The Champions League semi-finals conclude this week and we will soon find out who the finalists are for the June 1 showdown in London. PSG host Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday and will be looking to overcome a 1-0 defeat in Germany, but Luis Enrique’s team should be far from upset. In the quarter-finals they lost at home to Barcelona and managed to dominate in Spain to advance to the last four. The other semi-final sees the tie at 2-2 between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, with more fireworks expected at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Don’t miss all Champions League storylinesand as always, you can watch all of our coverage on CBS, Biggest+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network all season.

Here’s what you need to know before the big games, including picks from experts on the CBS Sports team.

Here’s how to watch all the games, what you need to know, our expert picks and more:

TV schedule semi-finals

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Champions League semi-final choices

Don’t miss CBS Sports Golazo Network’s Morning Footy, now in podcast form! Our crew brings you all the news, opinions, highlights and humor you need to follow The Beautiful Game in every corner of the world, every Monday to Friday, all year round.

PSG vs Dortmund

By Jonathan Johnson

One match to watch: Kylian Mbappé vs. Julian Ryerson — Assuming Luis Enrique keeps the French superstar out wide, which had much more impact than when he was deployed through the middle, Dortmund could have a tough time at the back. Ryserson was excellent in the opening game, but the Germans were unable to extend their one-goal lead despite putting pressure on PSG. Les Parisiens have nothing to lose and everything to gain here by blowing away their visitors, so expect Mbappe to show his teeth.

Most Likely Goal: Goncalo Ramos — It looks like the Portuguese ace will continue his good scoring form when he gets the chance from Luis Enrique. When that will happen on Tuesday remains to be seen, but expect Ramos to get a chance at the Parc des Princes and possibly take the only opportunity that comes his way, such has been his productive 2024 so far. If Mbappe stays wide, it could create the perfect opportunity for Ramos in the middle to be the focal point of the attack.

Man of the Match choice: Marquinhos — There were moments in the opening match when the Brazil international rolled back the years with some brilliant vintage defending and PSG will need their captain to be back to his best here. With the news that Lucas Hernandez is now injured after surgery and likely to be away for a long time, Marquinhos will need to be more certain than ever.

Match prediction: PSG 2-0 Dortmund — The first goal in this one will be crucial and the hosts have no reason not to go for it from the start as Dortmund are likely to be wary of a fast start from PSG and therefore be more conservative than last week. If les Parisiens could get one, the two games against Barcelona showed that they can get two or more and they were unlucky not to score in Germany. This ended 2-0 in Paris in 2020 and could be a repeat here to gain a final place.

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich

By Francesco Porzio

One match to watch: Rodrygo vs. Kim Min-Jae – This will likely be the most important play of the match as most of the pressure on the visitors will be on the defensive side of the ball. In the first leg, Bayern Munich had many chances to score the first goal, but Real Madrid managed to make the most of their first shot thanks to the German team’s defensive problems.

Most Likely Goal: Jude Bellingham – He has already scored 22 goals in 38 games this season, including four in nine Champions League matches. Despite this, Bellingham’s work is not done and he must now make another impact in the second leg of his first UCL semi-final against Bayern Munich. He has yet to score his first goal in the elimination rounds, and what better opportunity to do so?

Man of the Match pick: Vinicius Jr. – Speaking of players who typically make an impact: Vinicius Jr. is the leading candidate for the game’s MVP, after scoring a brace in the first leg of the semi-final and especially after scoring 21 in 35 matches so far. He is the face of this team and the player everyone expects to make the difference in such phases.

Match prediction: Real Madrid 2, Bayern Munich 1 – Despite the incredible performance of Thomas Tuchel’s team in the first match in Munich, playing against Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu, the second leg, is always the last thing you want to do in this sport. That’s why I expect Carlo Ancelotti and his team to do it again.