On Tuesday, as part of the second leg of the Champions League 2024-2025 quarter-finals (Paris won the first leg 3-1), Paris Saint-Germain take on Aston Villa at Villa Park (kick-off 9pm, CET). On the eve of the match, Parisian striker Ousmane Dembélé (27) answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Dembélé “I’m also very well served by my teammates.”
Can you tell us about your breakthrough?
I’ve been asked a lot… I think it’s my position on the pitch, I’m closer to the goal. I’m also very well served by my team-mates, and then I just have to finish.
How do you feel about yourself as a leader?
As a leader, I don’t know, but as one of the managers. I live it very well, I remain myself. I try to encourage others, to set an example as the coach asks. That’s what I try to do.
Dembélé “Winning the Champions League for PSG would be exceptional”.
Is being decisive in a fixture like tomorrow a goal?
Yes, and then I’ll sign up for the same goalscorers tomorrow. But yes, the aim is to score or get someone to score. It’s in matches like these that you see the great players.
In 4 games, you could win the LDC. The Ballon d’Or is also possible. Do you think this is your year?
No, there’s still a long way to go to win the competition. And that’s not what drives me the most. I’ve always been more interested in collective titles. Winning the Champions League for PSG would be exceptional. We’ve still got a long way to go.
Dembélé “Yes, he can do everything, dribble, score, make decisive passes.”
Barcola has become a bit more of a passer after being a goalscorer. Is he the one with the widest range?
Yes, he can do everything: dribble, score, make decisive passes. He’s having a great season. We’re very proud of what he’s doing. We hope he’ll continue. He’s young, but he’s already proved he’s a great player.
What’s the catch tomorrow?
We didn’t come here to speculate. We’re here to win another game. We’re not going to change our game, defend or keep the score. We came here to win and we hope to do that tomorrow.
Villa Park has a great history and atmosphere, so how are you preparing?
We know it’s going to be a very big atmosphere, and our supporters will be there to cheer us on. We’re going to forget about it and stay focused on the match.
Dembélé “It’s our strength not to give up”.
Have you been able to turn things around, like explaining it? Does that protect you from a comeback?
It’s good, the team has a lot of personality and doesn’t give up. The coach tells us to believe no matter what. It’s the team’s personality, the young and the old always give their all.
To protect ourselves, I don’t know. But we’ll give it our all if we lose. It’s our strength not to give up.
Your best team this season?
I’ve played in some great teams, but I don’t know if this is the best. I’ve been in a Barça team with Messi, the best player of all time. But it’s one of the teams where I get the most pleasure.
Dembélé “We give each other a lot of advice and chamber a lot in training.”
What match can you expect tomorrow?
I’m expecting a Villa team that’s going to put us under a lot of pressure, as they’re 2 goals down. As I said, we didn’t come here to speculate. We’re here to play our game and win.
What’s your relationship with Kvaratskhelia and his contribution?
We’ve all welcomed him very warmly. Personally, I have a good relationship with him. We give each other a lot of advice and chat a lot in training. Underneath his shy exterior, he chats a lot (smile). We have a very good relationship.
What will PSG look like in 2025?
I think we’ve made a very good start to the season. We had a bit of trouble in the Champions League, so we needed time to adapt. Since 2025, we’ve been able to bounce back and that’s what’s brought us to this point.
Dembélé “I know it’s going to help me on the pitch.”
Which motivates you more, being more decisive or more regular?
A bit of both. I’ve been told almost all my career to be more decisive. That makes me happy. I always try to be decisive, to help the team whether I score or not. I really enjoy being part of this team, trying to be decisive.
You had to get rid of the injuries, and you’ve done that. What has been done?
Yes, I had a lot of problems, especially in Barcelona. Some people helped me, and they’re now working at PSG too. I’ve changed some things in terms of prevention. I feel very good about my body and my personal life. I try to enjoy myself, even if I don’t really like physical work (smile). I know it’s going to help me out on the pitch.
Dembélé “The coach kept telling us that if we didn’t defend, another player would take our place.”
How did you adapt to the demanding defensive environment?
We’re a team that attacks and defends together. The coach kept telling us that if we didn’t defend, another player would take our place. So everyone defends, and that’s a very good thing. It’s paying off.
Are you getting bored with the rest or is it doing you some good?
We get a bit bored, it’s better with games (smile). But it’s good all the same.
What do you think of Désiré Doué?
I already knew him from Rennes. He’s bursting with talent, and he’s going to go a long way. He’s very mature and very professional. We encourage him and have given him a very warm welcome.
What’s most impressive is his professionalism at his age.
