Jadon Sancho has broken the record for most dribbles in a single UEFA Champions League knockout game following Borrusia Dortmund’s victory over Paris Saint-Garmin on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
What happened?
The former Manchester City player emulated former PSG star Lionel Messi with a stunning performance in Dortmund’s first-leg Champions League semi-final win over the Ligue 1 champions.
Jadon Sancho outperformed some of the best players in the world and stood out in Wednesday’s game at Signal Iduna Park.
The English winger completed 12 dribbles in the game, the most of any player in any Champions League match this season and more than anyone in the competition has managed since Lionel Messi in 2008.
In addition to his impressive stats, the winger also became the first English player to complete more than 11 take-ons in a Champions League match.
Recall that Sancho was frozen out at Manchester United earlier this season before returning to Dortmund on loan, and the 25-year-old is proven to be what the Red Devils were missing due to his performances so far this season.
In a horrible stint at Man United, in which he scored 12 goals, Sancho never managed to complete over seven take-on in a single game in his 58 league appearances, but he did so against PSG within 30 minutes.
It took Jadon Sancho just 35 minutes to break the record for most dribbles (7) in a single Champions League knockout game so far this season.
However, against PSG, Sancho was the player who won the most duels (13), completed the most take-on (12), and created the most chances (three).
No wonder Dortmund want Sancho to remain next season. But, for the loan to be repeated next season, or turned into a permanent transfer, it would require significant compromise on both sides.
It seems there is no future for Sancho at Old Trafford if Ten Hag remains as manager. But there is a possibility that the boss may leave next season, hence, the winger may return to Man United ahead of next season.
Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain in belief
Niclas Fullkrug’s powerful first-half strike gave the German Bundesliga outfit a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final, but it was Sancho who was Dortmund’s standout star.
Niclas Fullkrug, the German striker fired in at the near post after a fine ball over the top from Nico Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund dominated most of the game and deserved their win, but their lead remained only by the narrowest of margins as Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi were denied by the goal-post in the same move before Fabian Ruiz headed a golden chance wide.
Sancho teamed up with Fullkrug for a simpler finish than his goal soon after but the striker scooped the simple chance over the bar before the Man United loanee played a fine one-two with Julian Brandt whose poor touch denied him another significant chance.
What’s next for Borrusia Dortmund?
Dortmund will lock horns with Augsburg in the Bundesliga this weekend before next week’s second leg against PSG in the French capital, giving Sancho another chance to prove his worth.
