Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic admitted Monday he did not know if Jadon Sancho (24) might remain with the club beyond the end of this season but called on the England winger to once again play a starring role against Paris Saint-Germain.
Sancho was outstanding as Dortmund beat PSG 1-0 at home in last week’s Champions League semi-final first leg, setting them up nicely for Tuesday’s return match in the French capital.
“We have talked about the short-term future. This is tomorrow, with a very important game, maybe also the biggest game in his career so far,” Terzic told reporters at the Parc des Princes on the eve of the match when asked if discussions had been had with Sancho.
Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic acknowledged uncertainty regarding Jadon Sancho’s future at the club beyond this season but emphasised the importance of the England winger’s performance in the upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Sancho played a pivotal role in Dortmund’s 1-0 victory in the first leg, and Terzic urged him to replicate his stellar performance in the crucial match in Paris.
“We are really happy with him. From all sides, we are happy to have him in our team. I think you can feel that he is happy to be with us,” Terzic added.
“We don’t know how long the story will continue. This is part of the deal: he is not our player as of July 1st, but until then, we are going to make this time as special as possible.
“We are really feeling that he is in a good way. I think that big games are decided by big players and tomorrow he will have the opportunity to decide it.”
After returning to Dortmund on loan from Manchester United in January until the season’s end, the 24-year-old’s future remains uncertain. Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastien Kehl, expressed their determination to retain him at the club, where he previously excelled for four years before his transfer to United in 2021.
“What we did last week might not be enough this week so we still need to improve,” warned Terzic, whose side hold the advantage thanks to Niclas Fullkrug’s strike in the first leg.
“What we didn’t like last week was that we had four players defending against Kylian Mbappe. We also know they will do better tomorrow, so we need to find the balance that we didn’t really have last week.
“If we have come this far we want to do better still and go all the way to win the title.”
‘Big dream’
Terzic was also asked if PSG’s desire to win the Champions League in Mbappe’s last season with the club might prove too powerful for the visitors in Tuesday’s second leg, but dismissed such suggestions.
“That is their mission, but we also have a big dream and are eager to make it come true,” said the 41-year-old.