Nico Schlotterbeck: Dreaming of London in the game against Paris

Nico Schlotterbeck played his first Champions League match in September 2022 in the group stage against FC Copenhagen at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. Today, the Borussia defender faces his 19th clash in the top flight against Paris Saint Germain (kick-off: 21:00 CEST). In this interview, the 24-year-old reveals what he thinks about the possibility of reaching the final, how he has prepared for the opposition and how important the Black & Yellow fans will be tonight.

The 20th Champions League match of your career could already be the final. Would you have thought when you played your first game in September 2022 that you would get this far in the top flight?

"The 19th game is the most important one for now, it's another 90 minutes, a really big game that still lies ahead of us. Of course, I've been on the pitch in almost every Champions League game in my two years at Borussia Dortmund and that's given me a lot of confidence, but the fact that I'm playing in the Champions League in the first place is something special. I couldn't have imagined that it would be 18 games already, hopefully 19 tonight, and hopefully 20 in a month's time. I hope that regardless of the outcome tonight, I can get even more games with BVB over the next few years."

You're playing against PSG for the fourth time this season. Does this special situation change your preparation for the game?



"I already adjusted to many of PSG's players in the group stage. Players like Mbappe or Dembele naturally have great movements that you always have to have on your radar – it helps to analyse them individually with the coaching team. You also know the players from the TV – you've seen a lot of them. But that doesn't change much in terms of preparation – you always try to concentrate on your game."

There will be 2,000 BVB supporters in the stadium tonight. What role do the fans play for you away from home?

"We've had a lot of away games in the Champions League this season where we've heard the fans. When I think of the game in Newcastle, where you can hear our fans the whole time, even though it was said beforehand that Newcastle is the loudest stadium in England – that's really saying something. We are looking forward to our fans, they will deliver again in Paris. I hope we can withstand the pressure and give the fans a good game in return. And hopefully we'll all have something to celebrate afterwards."

How do you perceive the euphoria at the club and in the city surrounding the semi-final?

"Of course, you notice a certain euphoria. I think the fans have been waiting for something big for a long time – we have the chance to achieve it this year and will try to give it our all." 

Will you be thinking about the possible final at Wembley during tonight's game or will you try to tune it out? 

"I'm thinking about it, I'll be honest. Every footballer thinks about it and visualises a few things: I've played at Wembley with the national team in the UEFA Nations League before. It's a huge stadium. It would be a huge step for our team if we made it to the final. You need to have a goal in mind to be able to compete in Paris. It's good if you have a dream in mind – you have to go into the game with that in mind. We can't be nervous, we have to have the ball a lot – then I think we can make it through."