This Tuesday at 9 p.m. (CET), Paris Saint-Germain (3rd) faces Bayer Leverkusen (25th) at the BayArena as part of Matchday 3 of the 2025-2026 Champions League. At a press conference, Loïc Badé, the German club’s 25-year-old defender, gave his thoughts on this match, particularly since it’s Paris, and facing Ousmane Dembélé (28-year-old striker).
Badé “a great pleasure.”
“A dream match?
A match I dreamed of, I don’t know. But it’s a great pleasure to play this team, the greatest in the world and in Europe, compared to what they did last year. For me, having grown up in the Paris region, it’s a pleasure, but I’ve never been a PSG fan, or any other team for that matter.” I didn’t watch much football when I was young. It’s still Paris, the city where I grew up; it’s an important match for me.”
Badé: “I don’t think there’s a special formula.”
A key to defending Dembélé?
“I don’t think there’s a special formula. He’s technically comfortable and can play with both feet. We’ll have to defend him as a team and help each other out. Ousmane is the Ballon d’Or winner. He has great qualities,” comments relayed by 90min.
We understand Badé’s feelings, as he will be facing the European champion and his hometown club. All this in a competition that excites all football fans. It’s a special moment for the defender, and he’ll have to approach it well to make sure he doesn’t miss out.
The defender knows he’s facing a huge challenge, but he can’t let himself be overwhelmed. It’s still a football match, with teamwork remaining the key. There’s no other option against Dembélé, nor against other Parisian players who shouldn’t be overlooked. Besides, the 28-year-old striker is far from getting much playing time. But the Parisians will have some great assets on the pitch.
Let’s not forget that Paris will also be facing a strong team; Leverkusen shouldn’t be underestimated.
