Ousmane Dembélé has attributed his influential form for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League to the strict demands of manager Luis Enrique. The French winger made the comments following his two-goal performance in PSG's 5-4 semi-final first-leg victory over Bayern Munich, a result that gives the French champions a narrow advantage ahead of next week's decisive second leg in Germany.
Speaking to CBS Sports, Dembélé explained the non-negotiable requirement for work rate under the Spanish coach. "If you don't press, if you don't defend, Luis Enrique puts you on the bench," Dembélé said. This philosophy has been central to PSG's run to the last four, with the team displaying a collective intensity that has sometimes been absent in previous European campaigns. Dembélé's brace against Bayern took his direct involvement in knockout stage goals for the club to 18, a new PSG record.
The 26-year-old arrived from Barcelona last summer for a reported fee of €50 million and has become a pivotal figure in Luis Enrique's system, particularly following the anticipated departure of Kylian Mbappé. His adaptation was not instantaneous, but his pace, dribbling, and improved end product have proven crucial in Europe. Dembélé also told Canal+ that the team would not alter its attacking approach for the return fixture in Munich, promising an open contest.
For PSG, Dembélé's emergence as a decisive player in big matches validates their significant investment and offers a clear focal point for the post-Mbappé era. His willingness to embrace the defensive responsibilities demanded by Luis Enrique has been symbolic of a broader cultural shift at the club towards a more cohesive unit. The manager secured his 50th Champions League win with the victory, underscoring his and the team's European pedigree this season.
The context of Dembélé's career, often punctuated by injuries and inconsistency during his time at Barcelona, makes his current impact all the more significant. He is peaking at a crucial moment, with PSG one match away from a first Champions League final since 2020. His comments highlight the manager's role in extracting consistent high-intensity performances, which will be essential if PSG are to protect their slim lead in Bavaria and advance to the final at Wembley.
