The film industry was abuzz with excitement when the teaser for the highly anticipated movie ‘Savi: A Bloody Housewife’ debuted on Monday.
Starring Anil Kapoor and Divya Khosla Kumar, the teaser teases a thrilling experience, starting with a gripping scene where Divya Khosla Kumar’s character pledges to engineer a daring escape from a high-security prison in London, referring to it as a “fortress.”
Divya Khosla Kumar Talks About Her Latest Anticipated Release
The revelation of the upcoming Mukesh Bhatt-Bhushan Kumar-Krishan Kumar collaboration for the production of ‘Savi-A Bloody Housewife’ caught everyone by surprise.
In her debut commentary about the project, exclusively shared with Zoom, Divya Khossla, portraying the titular character crafted by the author, opened up about her involvement.
“We kept it out of the news for as long as we could. All of us were sworn into secrecy until it was ready for release. In fact we got the title just a few days back. We shot the film in complete secrecy in London.”
So What is ‘Savi – A Bloody Housewife’ All About?
Reveals Divya, “I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. But I can assure you that I have not done anything like this. Savi is based on the Hindu mythological concept of Sati Savitri, who is said to have brought her husband back from the dead. We have contemporized the myth, made it acceptable to today’s audience without tampering with the story.”
Divya further added that the film celebrates the housewife, “Men, and even women, tend to take the homemaker for granted, if not look down on her completely. Our film shows how the housewife anchors the family. Were it not for her, the family would fall apart.” Anil Kapoor features in a very special role. “He has never been seen like this. Anilji is such a legendary actor. To have him in our film is a blessing.”
Divya Khosla Kumar, Image Credits – Instagram
“Harshvardhan Rane plays my husband. Our director is the very talented Abhinay Deo who has earlier helmed very interesting films like the Irrfan Khan starrer Blackmail,” said Divya.
She admits she is nervous, “People are not coming to the movie theatres. But we are confident they will come for Savi when it opens on May 31. The content is the hero here. If you liked my previous release Yaariyan, you will love Savi.”
She was last seen in Yaariyan, which is now streaming on Jio Cinema.
“But it comes with a price. People have to pay to see Yaariyaan on the streaming platform. They first waited to see it on OTT. Now they will wait to see it when it is free of cost,” Divya concluded.
Reintroducing Anil Kapoor: The Veteran Actor Takes on ‘Subedaar’
Moreover, Anil Kapoor is set to star in another upcoming action-drama titled ‘Subedaar,’ helmed by Suresh Triveni, renowned for his previous works such as ‘Tumhari Sulu’ and ‘Jalsa.’ This project, co-produced by Vikram Malhotra, Suresh Triveni, and Anil Kapoor himself, delves into the life of Subedaar Arjun Singh as he reintegrates into civilian life, grappling with a tumultuous relationship with his daughter and societal hurdles.
The official synopsis of ‘Subedaar’ underscores its gripping narrative: “In a high-octane action drama, Subedaar Arjun Singh confronts the challenges of civilian life, navigating through a strained bond with his daughter and societal discord. The warrior who once fought for the nation must now battle inner adversaries to safeguard his home and loved ones.”
Anil Kapoor’s Bold Move: Sacrificing His Signature Mustache for “Lamhe”
Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor made a significant decision in his career by voluntarily shaving his mustache for the first time to feature in renowned director Yash Chopra’s ambitious project, “Lamhe.” Recounting the incident in an earlier interview with director Karan Johar, Chopra reminisced about Kapoor, then a budding actor, walking into his office with a clean-shaven look for the role.
Yash Chopra said, “When Anil Kapoor came and met me for Lamhe, he had shaved his favourite moustache, and that too, for the first time in his career. I always thought he was a very good actor. And in Lamhe he did a wonderful job. I just told him, just live through this film and you will be great.”
Anil Kapoor, Image Credits – Instagram
In another conversation with Riteish Deshmukh, Anil Kapoor reflected on how he had shaved his facial hair for two films, both of which failed to perform well at the box office.
Kapoor told Deshmukh, “Do film mein mooche safa ki thi, unfortunately film bhi safa ho gayi yaar” (I was clean-shaven in two films but unfortunately those films got shaved off too). Both the films bombed at the box office. After that, I decided, henceforth, I will never shave my moustache,” Kapoor signed off.
Regarding his recent work, Anil Kapoor was most recently featured in Siddharth Anand’s action-packed film “Fighter,” alongside Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone.
The Delhi Capitals (DC) are set to engage with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their ongoing IPL 2024 journey. The clash between the two teams will unfold at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, marking game 56 on Tuesday, May 07.
With five victories and six losses, DC currently holds the sixth position in the standings. Despite facing a turbulent start, they remain in contention for a Playoff spot. Led by Rishabh Pant, the team recently suffered a seven-wicket loss against the Kolkata Knight Riders but is determined to climb the ladder with a triumph over the Royals.
In IPL 2024, Delhi has emerged as a paradise for batsmen and a nightmare for bowlers, boasting an average first-innings score of 249 and a staggering overall run rate of 11.38, the highest among all venues this season, across three matches held there thus far.
The favorable conditions have notably favored Delhi Capitals (DC), who clinched victories in their last two home games, propelled by the explosive performances of Jake Fraser-McGurk. DC’s opening pair has been instrumental, averaging 57.33 with a blistering strike rate of 292 in Delhi. These robust starts have provided momentum for the likes of Tristan Stubbs, Rishabh Pant, and Axar Patel to capitalize on.
Their previous encounter took place in Jaipur during the 9th match of the season, where RR secured a victory by 12 runs.
Rajasthan Royals, who recently slipped to second position on the points table after dominating for over five weeks, boast the standout bowling unit of IPL 2024. Their pacers boast an impressive economy of 8.22 and an average of 23.57, ranking them as the best among all teams. Additionally, they exhibit potency with the new ball, averaging three wickets per game in the first six overs. Complementing their pace attack is the experience of their spinners and the consistent form of their top order.
However, RR’s Achilles’ heel lies in their underperforming lower-middle order. Despite efforts from Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell to score big shots, they have faltered in finishing games off. Dhruv Jurel’s struggles, apart from one notable half-century, further highlight the vulnerability of RR’s middle order, with numbers five to eight averaging only 20.93. Consequently, the performance of spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar becomes crucial for DC, although they’ll require support from a pace-bowling unit that has conceded 10.35 runs per over this season.
Riyan Parag, Image Credits – RR Twitter
Despite the promising form, DC faces an uphill battle in their quest to win their remaining three league matches, especially against the formidable Rajasthan Royals. RR has proven to be a tough opponent in IPL 2024, with victories narrowly slipping away from their grasp, such as Gujarat Titans’ last-ball boundary and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s tight finish in the previous game.
Contrarily, RR occupies the second spot in the standings with eight triumphs in ten matches. The 2008 champions have had a remarkable season and aim to secure one of the top two spots in the points table as the tournament nears its crucial phase. Following a narrow one-run defeat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous match, the Rajasthan-based franchise is eager to bounce back strongly.
In Terms Of Recent Form:
Delhi Capitals LWWLW (last five completed games, most recent first) Rajasthan Royals LWWWW
DC vs MI: Pitch Report & Conditions
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, the pitch tends to favor spin bowlers owing to its slower surface, which facilitates grip and turn for the ball. However, the presence of shorter boundaries offers batters a chance to adopt an aggressive approach and score runs swiftly. Considering these factors, the team winning the toss is likely to choose to field first at Kotla.
Anticipate another high-scoring encounter on what seems to be a batting-friendly pitch. The presence of dew is unlikely to significantly influence the game, and batting conditions are expected to remain consistent throughout both innings. With a hot and dry evening forecasted, players can expect favorable conditions conducive to stroke play.
DC vs MI: Head-to-head
Matches Played: 28
Delhi Capitals won: 13
Rajasthan Royals won: 15
No Result: 00
First Played: April 19, 2008
Last Played: March 28, 2024
During their previous encounter in Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals (RR) witnessed a remarkable recovery thanks to Riyan Parag’s impressive 84, which helped them bounce back from a precarious position of 36 for 3 to post a competitive total of 185. However, despite a solid start to their chase, Delhi Capitals (DC) faltered as the RR bowlers tightened the screws on their middle order. Notably, key players like Pant, Abishek Porel, and Axar Patel managed only 52 runs off 49 balls collectively, resulting in DC falling short by 12 runs in the end.
DC vs MI: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals (DC) are faced with some selection dilemmas ahead of the upcoming match. While Ishant Sharma has recovered from his injury, the availability of David Warner remains uncertain pending a decision on match day. Additionally, there’s a choice to be made between Prithvi Shaw and Kumar Kushagra, with the latter likely to be favored due to Shaw’s recent struggles against swinging deliveries, evidenced by his average of 11.75 in his last four games. The Impact Player for DC is expected to be Rasikh Salam, known for his ability to take crucial wickets.
Axar Patel, Image Credits – DC Twitter
Predicted XII:
Jake Fraser-McGurk
Abishek Porel
Shai Hope
Tristan Stubbs
Rishabh Pant (captain, wicketkeeper)
Axar Patel
Kumar Kushagra
Kuldeep Yadav
Khaleel Ahmed
Lizaad Williams
Mukesh Kumar
Rasikh Salam
Rajasthan Royals
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Rajasthan Royals (RR) are expected to maintain the same lineup for the upcoming match, with no injury concerns to contend with. However, there might be one strategic change, with Jos Buttler possibly replacing Yuzvendra Chahal as the Impact Player.
Predicted XII:
Jos Buttler
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Sanju Samson (captain & wicketkeeper)
Riyan Parag
Shimron Hetmyer
Rovman Powell
Dhruv Jurel
R Ashwin
Trent Boult
Avesh Khan
Sandeep Sharma
Yuzvendra Chahal (possible Impact Player swap)
DC vs RR: Players Under The Spotlight
DC- Rishabh Pant
As the IPL unfolds, another intriguing contest unfolds alongside it – the battle between two wicketkeeper-batsmen in India’s T20 World Cup squad: Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson.
Both players are nearing the 400-run mark and are on track to achieve their best IPL seasons yet. Interestingly, their statistics bear striking similarities, with Pant amassing 398 runs at a strike rate of 158.56 and a ball-per-boundary ratio of 4.56, while Samson has scored 385 runs at a strike rate of 159.09 and a ball-per-boundary ratio of 4.57.
RR- Sanju Samson
However, the distinction lies in Samson’s prowess against spin bowling in IPL 2024, where his strike rate of 150.92 between overs 7-16 stands out as the best among all players in India’s World Cup squad. This advantage could stem from Samson’s batting position at No. 3, affording him more opportunities to settle before facing the middle overs. Yet, since 2019, Samson has struggled when entering the crease after the 11th over, averaging only 18.78, whereas Pant has displayed more consistency in such situations.
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, the question remains: Who will gain the upper hand? Both Pant and Samson possess the talent and potential to leave a significant impact, making this contest one to watch closely as the tournament draws near.
Lenovo has officially entered the Mobile on Desktop market after releasing new PCs powered by Intel’s 14th Gen HX CPUs. Several weeks ago, WolStame, a China desktop product manager at Lenovo, hinted at the company’s intention to launch prototypes in the MoTD PC space. It is well known that this market has grown enormously in the last few years since high-end HX CPU platforms from Intel and AMD were introduced.
More About Lenovo Legion PCs
HX CPUs are re-purposed desktop dies for enthusiast laptops that operate at more conservative power limits. The market entrance came after the desktop’s stability issues with Raptor Lake-S 13th Gen and Raptor Lake-S Refresh 14th Gen CPUs. Unlike standard “S” SKUs, Intel and AMD HX CPUs typically run at lower power limits, resulting in higher stability.
Consequently, PC vendors are now utilizing these chips and incorporating them into various high-end PC builds. Lenovo’s official marketing illustrates its MoTD Blade 7000K system, comprising a mATX chassis housing a motherboard with an Intel 14th Gen HX CPU pre-mounted. The BGA-form factor CPU featured a large heatsink provided with four heat pipes.
Additionally, the Blade 7000K also permits multiple customized options, such as 24-core CPUs, 192 GB memory, air-liquid cooled solutions, storage ranging from 512 to 4 TB, and different NVIDIA graphics card alternatives. Lenovo also indicated that the MoTD Blade 7000k Desktop PCs, including Intel 14th Gen HX CPUs, will cost less than the 14th Gen “S” CPU options. The Intel does will clock in at 190W and 253W, respectively, which is well inside the “baseline profile” for Intel.
The only problem with this machine is that the CPU is soldered in and is therefore not replaceable, limiting CPU upgradeability. However, installing a 13th or 14th-Gen HX should be sufficient for a few years, given the number of cores, they have, and their clock speed. Previous prices are quite low compared to the “standard” S SKU. It is expected that Lenovo will launch this PC within the next few days.
According to a recent post, Samsung will soon dump the Xclipse GPU, which it made with AMD, for an in-house solution. It will not be in the near future. The GPU of the Exynos 2500 will most likely continue to be reliant on AMD’s RDNA architecture. However, it may be the final chapter in this story. This GPU stuttered with the launching of the Exynos 2200 and also powers the hall screen of Samsung’s mid-range Exynos 1480.
More About Samsung Exynos 2600
From a particular point of view, it was a huge adversary for Qualcomm’s Adreno. The performance, especially in ray-tracing games, was remarkable. Samsung, on the other hand, is dissatisfied. Rumors about Samsung’s intention to develop its own GPU design have been circulating for about a year, and a reliable source has finally confirmed them.
The leaker suggests that by 2026, the Exynos 2600 will become the first Exynos to debut an “all Samsun in-house-made hardware in-house” GPU, meaning the design and manufacturing processes will occur inside the company. There is talk that Samsung may be preparing to develop its own CPU design as well, although there is still no reliable information. However, such a step will obviously be a long process for the Koreans.
Overall, Samsung’s decision to pivot towards in-house solutions appears to demonstrate the company’s powerful ambition to acquire more possibilities to regulate its chipset technology and depend less on foreign partners. Ultimately, it is expected that this may result in promising innovations with optimal performance, integration capabilities, and a competitive edge in the mobile chipset market.
However, the path to independence on GPU and potentially CPU design is associated with numerous risks and challenges. The creation and enhancement of GPU and CPU architectures are beyond demanding in terms of capabilities and resources, implying that recognition can only be achieved through funding and expenditure of considerable R&D resources.
Therefore, creating one’s architectural design represents a strategic choice ensuring Samsung’s sustained competitive advantage in the chipset market but with certain prerequisites. Whether or not they are reliant on future technical challenges and can assure Exynos high performance and features remains the question.
Lando Norris has won his first-ever F1 race, after finishing first in the Miami Grand Prix 2024. The McLaren driver finished ahead of Max Verstappen, who came second in the race followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Max Verstappen’s pit stop gave Norris the opportunity to take the lead, and he never let up. In the end, he finished seven seconds ahead of the defending world champion, who was unable to make it three in a row at Miami, having won the 2022 and 2023 editions.
The McLaren driver joined the team in 2014, and has set the record for the most podium finishes without winning a race at 15. In his 110th race as a Formula 1 driver, he gave McLaren their first race win since Monza in 2021, and in the process, broke an unwanted streak for himself and his team.
Verstappen remains at the top of the Driver’s Championship standings, however, with 136 points. Norris is now fourth in the standings after his win, with 83 points. Between the two are Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc, with 103 and 98 points respectively.
American soap opera, Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers Next 2 Weeks, or B&B, gained popularity after making its debut in 1987. The sitcom, which was developed by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS, centres around the Forrester family and their Los Angeles, California-based fashion business.
Bold and Beautiful Spoilers Next 2 Weeks
Globally, viewers of The Bold and the Beautiful have grown to love the show. With a cast that includes gifted actors like Katherine Kelly Lang and John McCook, the programme never fails to enthral viewers with its inventive and compelling narratives. It has won multiple awards, including the Outstanding Drama Series Daytime Emmy Award.
Bold and Beautiful Spoilers Next 2 Weeks
There will be plenty of exciting turns and twists in the next episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful. Viewers are curious to see how Bill and his ex-girlfriend, Sheila, reconcile after a contentious confrontation in one of the storylines. In the meantime, a family member’s audacious action has led to major changes at Forrester Creations, laying the groundwork for possible drama and intrigue.
Regarding the future of the clothing brand Hope for the Future, Hope and Thomas come up to Ridge with a plea. The course of the queue may be significantly affected by this discussion. Tension increases among the Forrester family when Zende confronts Ridge about his partiality for R.J. after noticing nepotism in his decisions.
A Delightful Episode and Friendship Celebration
In a forthcoming episode, Ridge arranges a unique evening as a way to thank Brooke. As they remember their love tale, viewers can anticipate heartfelt moments and a celebration of their enduring relationship.
Dramatic moments abound in The Bold and the Beautiful, which never fails to captivate its devoted audience. Exciting plots, heated debates, and changing dynamics are what promise to keep fans riveted to their televisions over the next two weeks. Discover the audacious and exquisite realm of this cherished soap drama.
Given the supernatural nature of its main opponent, Jeepers Creepers appears to be a work of fiction, however it is partially based on a true story. Some aspects of Jeepers Creepers are true, despite the 2001 horror film’s supernatural overtones.
Starring as siblings Darry and Trish Jenner, who become the targets of a demonic creature known only as “the Creeper” after witnessing the monster loading bodies into a truck, are then-starlets Justin Long and Gina Philips in the film, which was written, directed, and executive produced by the renowned Francis Ford Coppola.
The legend of the horrible beast that hunts every 23 years and removes different body parts from its victims is then explained to them. The brutal conclusion of the movie, in which Darry’s eyes and back are severed, establishes significant “Creeper” canon and guarantees more similarly well-liked Jeepers Creepers sequels.
The film, which had a low budget, turned into an unexpected blockbuster at the box office and gained a devoted fan base on video, leading to two Jeepers Creepers sequels and a 2022 relaunch. Some portions of Jeepers Creepers are real, which is unsettling, but other sections can be plainly dismissed as otherworldly terror. The Creeper was inspired by a terrifying actual crime incident.
Do Real Jeepers Creepers Exist?
Although the Creeper’s horrifying look and otherworldly past are purely fictional, a large portion of Jeepers Creepers’ main plot is based in fact. The actual components of Jeepers Creepers stem from a sequence of events that happened in Michigan during the summer of 1990, with the Jenners’ coincidental encounter with The Creeper bearing unsettling similarities to Dennis DePue’s murders.
Dennis DePue, a native of Michigan, killed his wife in 1990 and threw her body behind an abandoned schoolhouse, setting off a police manhunt. While the movie is still too bizarre to be taken seriously as a close representation of a true incident, other aspects of the case were added to the fictionalised account of Salva’s story.
The DePue case undoubtedly had an impact on the Jeepers Creepers franchise. Like Darry and Trish, brothers Ray and Marie Thornton were witnesses to DePue disposing of his wife’s body, and their sworn testimonies served as the main source material for Jeepers Creepers’ true crime narrative.
Jeepers Creepers Cast
The real Thorntons said, as in Jeepers Creepers, that they watched DePue dispose of a body before he turned and saw them in their vehicle. They claim that after that, in a move reminiscent of the tense pursuit sequence in Jeepers Creepers, DePue followed them for a number of miles in his van. The DePue case is covered in great depth in an Unsolved Mysteries episode from 1991. The piece-by-piece reconstruction of the Thorntons’ story is hauntingly identical to the comparable Jeepers Creepers scenes.
Dennis DePue’s genuine crimes—the horrific murder of his wife, which led to a manhunt that resulted in DePue’s death—do not merit memorials. Maybe that’s why Salva reimagined DePue’s sinister atmosphere as The Creeper, a horrifying winged creature that moviegoers referred to as a “bat out of hell” by adding various fictional aspects to the Jeepers Creepers film.
While Jeepers Creepers is a spooky thriller that keeps the eerie chill of the true event on which it was based, the film’s underlying storyline is still a dark tale of betrayal and wicked reasoning.
Salva continued to work in Hollywood after being freed from prison, but Jeepers Creepers was the film that kept him in the business. Even though Jeepers Creepers is largely inspired by a true event, which heightens the dread on screen, the film has an uneasy legacy due to certain unsettling real-life incidents surrounding it.
In 1988, a jury found director Victor Salva guilty of sexual misconduct in relation to one of the juvenile actors in Clownhouse. Salva continued to work in Hollywood after being freed from prison, but Jeepers Creepers was the film that kept him in the business. Many people find this unsettling since they believe Salva’s ability to remain employed as a director is questionable given that he initially utilised that role to conduct his crimes.
Sustaining the Jeepers Creepers franchise was perceived as a means of enabling and absolving Salva of his prior transgressions. As more people became aware of Salva’s background, the debate surrounding Jeepers Creepers 3 grew more heated.
Salva penned Jeepers Creepers 3, which made the character’s joke about child abuse all the more unsettling. This furthered the unpleasant aspect of Salva’s connection to the franchise. Even if Jeepers Creepers: Reborn made an effort to revive the franchise without Salva, it could already be too damaged to salvage.
The endearing comedy-drama “Instant Family” is inspired by director Sean Anders’ personal adoption story. This 2018 movie, which stars Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne as Pete and Ellie Wagner, tells the story of a couple that choose to adopt three siblings, who are played by Isabela Moner, Gustavo Quiroz, and Julianna Gamiz
A Personal Story Brought to Life Sean Anders and co-writer John Morris drew inspiration for this touching film from their own personal adoption experience. “Instant Family” tells a poignant and humorous story while allowing considerable artistic licence and honestly incorporating elements of Anders’ own life. By exploring the subtleties of adopting older children and illuminating their complexities, the movie dared to challenge prejudices.
The fictitious portrayal of Pete Wagner by Mark Wahlberg was influenced by Sean’s experience with foster care and adoption. Pete’s experiences in the movie provide a humorous and realistic look into the highs and lows of being a parent. Rose Byrne’s character Ellie, on the other hand, highlights the challenges and transformative moments that come with accepting the role of an adoptive parent by taking cues from Sean Anders’s wife, Beth Anders.
“Instant Family” debunks adoption stereotypes while still capturing genuine, unfiltered feelings. It offers a realistic portrayal of the struggles and victories of adoption, emphasising the unique difficulties that arise with integrating older children into a new family unit.
Instant Family Cast and Critical Acclaim
This heartwarming comedy-drama won praise for its accurate and encouraging depiction of adoption and family dynamics. A strong cast, including Octavia Spencer, Julie Hagerty, Tig Notaro, and Margo Martindale, contributed to the popularity of the movie. Their performances had a profound impact on viewers all around the world.
Where Can I View “Instant Family”?
“Instant Family” is available on a number of streaming services, including FXNow, fuboTV, and DIRECTV, if you can’t wait to view it. The film is also available for purchase or rental on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for fans of streaming media. Take your time exploring this endearing comedy-drama on some television stations or on some streaming sites.
Apple’s first event of the year kicks off on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 a.m. Pacific Time. The event will be live-streamed on Apple.com and YouTube. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the event will last about 35 minutes. The tech companywill introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models as well as upgraded editions of the Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard. Here’s a breakdown of the latest rumors.
All About the Upcoming Apple Event
According to a supply chain report, the organization is considering launching two new iPad Pro sizes with an M4 chip. They disclosed that it may have an OLED display and be much more slender, thanks to smaller bezels. The article mentions that some of the news suggests that the new iPad Pro will be compatible with MagSafe.
There may be a matte choice for the screen, a land-oriented front camera, and a refreshed 12.9-inch model. They may also announce two new iPad Air models with the M2 chip. The land-orientation front camera will be one of the models, including the 12.9-inch iPad Air, known as the greatest. It may unveil a new Magic Keyboard for the iPad. The new model could have an aluminum body and a larger trackpad.
The tech giant might announce a new version of the Apple Pencil, which would feature haptic feedback and a “squeeze” gesture for selected functions. There is a good chance that it will support Vision Pro, which could be related to the anticipated visionOS 2 update. This event will happen a few days before WWDC, the annual Apple developers conference.
To conclude, the new event is likely to present significant news about its iPad models and accessories. Rumors are quite intense, suggesting interesting updates and new features that make fans and tech influencers excited to know what Apple has prepared for their users.
Edin Terzić’s team holds the upper hand as they head to Paris, but can Luis Enrique’s squad mount a comeback? We preview Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final clash between PSG and Borussia Dortmund.
Kylian Mbappe against Dortmund in 1st Leg, Image Credits – PSG Official Website.
Luis Enrique understands the weight of expectations as Qatar Sports Investment aims for a Paris Saint-Germain victory in this competition. While PSG clinched the Ligue 1 title, their UEFA Champions League aspirations hang in the balance ahead of the second-leg encounter against Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
The Parc des Princes sets the stage for an intriguing European showdown as Dortmund travels to Paris with a slim 1-0 lead from the initial clash at Signal Iduna Park. Niclas Füllkrug’s powerful first-half strike remains the sole difference between the two teams, leaving PSG in familiar territory of needing to recover lost ground.
After their remarkable 6-4 comeback win on aggregate against Barcelona in the previous round, PSG could script history by becoming the first team to overcome first-leg deficits in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals and still advance to the final.
The narrative leading into Tuesday could have been vastly different, with Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi both thwarted by the woodwork in the initial encounter. PSG, in fact, registered 14 shots in the first leg against Dortmund, their highest tally without finding the net in a Champions League match since their 2020-21 semi-final second leg against Manchester City (14 shots, resulting in a 2-0 defeat).
Mbappé is poised to seize the spotlight once again on the grand stage of European football. The prolific French forward has left an indelible mark, being directly involved in an impressive 32 goals across 31 home games he’s commenced in the Champions League, comprising 21 goals and 11 assists.
There’s a singular instance where Mbappé faltered to find the net in both legs of a knockout stage encounter in the tournament, and that was against perennial contenders Real Madrid in the 2017-18 round of 16.
Hakimi against Dortmund’s Adiyemi in 1st Leg, Image Credits – PSG Official Website.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Mbappé has emerged as a key creator under pressure this season in the Champions League, having crafted the most chances (23) among all players, albeit none of those opportunities have been converted by his PSG teammates. Anticipated to feature centrally once more, flanked by Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele in Luis Enrique’s star-studded lineup, Mbappé will undoubtedly be a focal point of PSG’s attacking endeavors.
Nonetheless, Edin Terzić’s Dortmund squad boasts its own array of talents, notably midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, who leads the charts with the most assists under pressure (5) in the competition this term. Despite his absence on the scoresheet, Jadon Sancho caught the eye in the previous encounter against PSG, showcasing his dribbling prowess with an impressive 13 successful dribbles – the highest recorded by a player in a knockout stage fixture in the Champions League since Neymar’s 15 for PSG against Atalanta in August 2020.
In the buildup to this crucial fixture, Manchester United loanee Sancho has distinguished himself by completing the most dribbles (22) among all players in the knockout stages of UEFA’s premier club tournament this season. PSG full-back Nuno Mendes may still be haunted by memories from last Wednesday night’s encounter.
Dortmund’s preparations for the upcoming clash couldn’t have been much better, as evidenced by their commanding 5-1 victory over Augsburg on Saturday. Youssoufa Moukoko (2), Donyell Malen, Marco Reus, and Felix Nmecha all found the target at Signal Iduna Park. Although Karim Adeyemi sustained a knock during that win, he is expected to recover in time. Additionally, Sébastien Haller and Julian Ryerson are likely to overcome fitness concerns to make their appearances.
However, Dortmund will have to contend with the absence of Ramy Bensebaïni and Julien Duranville. On the PSG side, Lucas Hernández joins the list of long-term absentees, including Presnel Kimpembe, Layvin Kurzawa, and Sergio Rico, following his concerning ACL injury in the first leg.
With Hernández unavailable, Beraldo is expected to fill the void as PSG endeavors to secure a spot in the European Cup/Champions League final for only the second time, previously achieving the feat in 2019-20. Meanwhile, Dortmund aims for their third final appearance in club history, following the 1996-97 and 2012-13 campaigns, with the latter coinciding with the last time the final of this competition was held at Wembley Stadium.
PSG vs Dortmund: Head-to-head
In their upcoming clash, PSG and Borussia Dortmund will face off for the eighth time in European competition, with both teams having secured two victories each so far, along with three draws.
Notably, all four wins in this fixture have been claimed by the home team, a statistic that may buoy Luis Enrique’s optimism ahead of this crucial semi-final encounter.
Vitinha against Dortmund’s Julian Brandt in 1st Leg, Image Credits – PSG Official Website.
Conversely, Terzić’s Dortmund may harbor concerns, especially considering their track record against PSG on the road in European competitions. To date, Dortmund has faced PSG away from home on three occasions, failing to secure a victory (D1 L2) or even score a goal during those encounters.
In the current campaign’s group stage, the Bundesliga outfit suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the French side in September. Kylian Mbappé’s penalty and a goal from Achraf Hakimi sealed the victory for PSG, with Dortmund managing just one shot on target throughout the match.
PSG vs Dortmund: Recent Form
Terzić faces a daunting task in thwarting PSG’s attacking prowess on Tuesday, especially considering that the Parisians have only been held scoreless in two of their last 38 home games in the Champions League, netting a staggering 93 goals during this run.
Interestingly, it was Dortmund’s Bundesliga counterparts, Bayern Munich, who managed to keep clean sheets on both occasions when PSG failed to score at home (1-0 defeats in February 2023 and April 2021). Despite their formidable home record, PSG’s performances in this season’s competition have left much to be desired.
In contrast, Luis Enrique’s team has often found themselves trailing on the scoreboard for longer durations (339 minutes) than they’ve held the lead (291 minutes) in the Champions League this campaign. Additionally, PSG has conceded the opening goal in each of their last three matches in the competition, marking their longest such streak since April 2015 (4 consecutive games).
However, Dortmund has experienced some stroke of luck in their favor this season as well. Terzić’s squad boasts the largest disparity between goals conceded and expected goals against in this season’s tournament (+10.7, with nine goals conceded from an expected 19.7 xG against).
Moreover, Dortmund has been involved in the only two instances in this campaign where a team hit the woodwork twice and failed to score in a game, with PSG in the first leg and Newcastle in October 2023. Terzić will undoubtedly hope that this streak of fortuitous outcomes continues to work in their favor against PSG.
PSG vs Dortmund: Team News and Predicted Line-up
PSG: Team News
Paris Saint-Germain faces a setback ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund. The Ligue 1 champions are already trailing following a 1-0 defeat in Germany last week and have now lost key defender Lucas Hernandez to injury. Hernandez sustained an ACL tear in his left knee during the first leg, ruling him out not only for the upcoming clash but also for the European Championship with France.
Lucas Hernandez against Dortmund in 1st Leg, Image Credits – PSG Official Website.
In Hernandez’s absence, January signing Lucas Beraldo is expected to step into the PSG backline. Manager Luis Enrique may consider shaking up the attacking options, with Lee Kang-in, Goncalo Ramos, or Randal Kolo Muani potentially featuring after several missed chances in the previous encounter.
On the other hand, Dortmund is unlikely to make significant changes to last week’s victorious lineup. Sebastian Haller, previously thought to be out for the season, has returned to team training and could be available on the bench.
Dortmund Predicted Starting XI:
Goalkeeper: Gregor Kobel
Defenders: Ryerson, Mats Hummels, Niklas Schlotterbeck, Ian Maatsen
Midfielders: Marcel Sabitzer, Julian Brandt, Emre Can (C)
Our prediction leans heavily towards a second-leg victory for PSG. A draw would see Dortmund progress into the final, making such an outcome less likely, while an away win for Dortmund is even less probable.
The UEFA Champions League 2023-24 match between PSG and Borussia Dortmund will be broadcast live in India on Sony Sports Network. The match is scheduled on Wednesday, 8 May 2024 at 12:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Viewers in India can watch the match live from Pard des Princes. Additionally, for those who prefer online streaming, the match will be available for live streaming on the SonyLIV App.
