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Rob Dawson, Correspondent
Jadon Sancho gave a timely reminder of his talent in helping Borussia Dortmund to a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain, according to coach Edin Terzic.
Sancho, who rejoined Dortmund on loan from Manchester United in January, played a starring role in the German side’s Champions League semifinal first leg victory on Wednesday.
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The 24-year-old struggled during his stay at Old Trafford before leaving amid a public row with manager Erik ten Hag, but Terzic said he wasn’t surprised by his performance against PSG.
“He’s shown that really often in training,” said Terzic. “It’s maybe not so easy to bring it onto the field, especially when you haven’t had rhythm for a while.
“We know his quality and we saw it again today. We knew we needed a performance like that from Jadon.”
Sancho didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he was a menace up and down the right wing all night, displaying the dazzling footwork and passing that marked his first stint at Signal Iduna Stadium and led to Man United’s £85 million move for him in 2021.
“I just take it game by game and I hope [my form] carries on,” Sancho told CBS Sports when asked about his play with Dortmund. “I came here at 17 and they gave me the opportunity to play my professional football. I am delighted with all the staff and players that have welcomed me back.
“I really don’t know [if I am going to stay]. I am just focused on the present right now.”
Dortmund will take a narrow advantage to Paris ahead of next week’s second leg thanks to Niclas Füllkrug‘s first-half goal. Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi both hit the post for PSG, but Terzic’s side also had chances in the second half to extend its lead, several of which Sancho was instrumental in setting up.
“We showed a very good game, a narrow win but a deserved one,” said Terzic. “It was a great teamwork performance that got us there. We wanted that small advantage. We know next week will most likely be tougher than today.
“This is just half-time and next week will be a different story. It won’t be easy to deal with their power play in front of a home crowd.”