Dortmund-PSG: Borussia captain, Can reveals he “almost signed” in Paris “twice”

Emre Can in Paris? The 30-year-old German international midfielder (43 caps, 1 goal) has often been in the capital club's sights in recent years. PSG's opponent in the Champions League semi-finals with Dortmund, first leg Wednesday (9 p.m.) in Germany, he reveals, in an interview with L'Équipe, that he was very close to joining Paris. “There were negotiations between my agents and PSG and, twice, I almost signed there. But in the end, there was no agreement,” he reports. Our colleagues talk about 2018 and 2020. At the time, German coach Thomas Tuchel was in charge.

“I have always loved this club. I remember loving Ronaldinho in the Parisian jersey when I was a teenager (2001-03). It was a treat,” says Can, emphasizing that Paris reached the last four of C1 three times in five years. “It’s not a coincidence,” he says, assuring in passing that Borussia is “much better and better balanced than six months ago”, when the two teams faced each other in groups. Draw at Signal Iduna Park on the return leg (1-1), after a Parisian victory on the first leg, at Parc des Princes (2-0). “It was one of our worst performances of the season. Now it’s time to win, we want to go to Wembley at all costs,” promises Emre Can.

Wembley, where the Champions League final will take place on June 1. The winner of Dortmund-PSG will face Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Note that Emre Can has already faced Paris Saint-Germain four times, with Leverkusen in 2014 (1-2 defeat), then three times with Dortmund, in 2020 (2-1 victory, 0-2 defeat) and in first European match of the season (2-0 defeat). He was not dressed for the second game.