On Tuesday, in the second leg of their 2025-2026 Champions League round of 16 tie (PSG won the first leg 5-2), Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (kick-off at 9 pm, CET). On the eve of this match, Parisian striker Ousmane Dembélé (28 years old) answered several questions at a press conference.
Dembélé: “It was just a little something for the team, and I think it paid off.”
You said that individual players had to take a backseat to the collective. Any regrets, especially regarding how you interpreted it?
No, not at all. That’s the only way PSG can win. It was just a little something for the team, and I think it paid off.
How will you approach the second leg?
Like the first leg. We’ve said it ourselves: the mentality is still to win. We can’t just sit back and defend. We’re going to try to attack and get another victory.
Dembélé: “We won the Champions League, but there were some difficult moments.”
Can the atmosphere of the stadium influence the match? Shouldn’t we let ourselves be intimidated?
We have to stay extremely focused against this kind of team. They’re a great club that has triumphed in Europe. We have to stay focused; our mentality isn’t going to change. We know there will be difficult times. We’ll have to suffer a bit. Like last year, we won the Champions League, but there were some tough moments.
Can the 5 goals from the first leg bring back confidence?
Football is all about confidence. You need a lot of it at the highest level. We played a very good match, even though Chelsea is a very good team and it was difficult. We stayed focused. The 4-2 scoreline did us good, and we were able to add another goal. You have to stay focused; it’s never over.
Dembélé: “I took it very calmly.”
Is there any reason that would make you not extend your contract with PSG?
No, there’s no reason. But regarding the contract, throughout my career, it’s between the club and my agent.
How did you mentally manage the physical setbacks?
Very well, I know my body better now. I’ve had quite a few setbacks in my career. I took it very calmly. I spoke to the staff, the coach, and they told me to stay relaxed. I didn’t have a very long injury, even though I had a relapse. I’m getting back into the swing of things and I’m confident.
Dembélé: “I have to be at 100% to fulfill this role.”
Is it sometimes hard to tell the coach you’re not at your best?
Yes, I’ve always said that I wanted to play, but that I wasn’t at 100%. It wasn’t easy at times, but my health is the most important thing. I had to be at 100% to help, especially in a very demanding PSG. I have to press, ask for the ball a lot, drop deep. I have to be at 100% to fulfill this role.
Last season was a unique one for you; when you experience something like that, it can change a player. Do you want to experience that again?
Of course, I want to be decisive in every match. That’s what motivates me every game. It hasn’t changed me. I’m even more determined to win the Champions League with PSG. It’s also a World Cup year. I’m very motivated. The important moments are coming, I’ll have to step up.
Dembélé: “You have to be professional and show it to the group.”
Are you even more of a leader this season? Are you more demanding?
As I’ve said before, I try to give advice. The coach tells us all to be leaders, to be professional, and to set an example. I’m 28, I try to show the younger and older players. You have to be professional and show it to the group.
Do you feel that your teammates are less individualistic? Has the team changed?
No, it’s not that. There have been matches where we could have passed to a better-positioned player. There haven’t been any arguments. We’ve spoken our minds. It’s an intelligent group, we push each other to be better and we put PSG at the top.
Does the team know how to react in difficult moments? Is it a winning mentality?
The coach used the word resilience. We always want to give 100% and win the matches.
Dembélé: “The coach likes players to be able to play in multiple positions.”
There’s been some new blood in the team, and it’s working. Is it about being unpredictable?
Yes, there have been position changes. But not all players have fixed positions. The coach likes players to be able to play in multiple positions, like Bradley Barcola at number 9. We’ve also tried to sign some very good players, especially João Neves.
In this competition, is it important to know how to suffer?
We have to suffer in this competition. Every winner has had to. There are quality players and teams. We did it last season, even though we were very good at times. This competition isn’t easy, not at all.
Dembélé: “We’re not going to defend a lead; we’re going to play our own football.”
Is Aston Villa a good lesson for tomorrow?
We have a three-goal lead, but our mentality hasn’t changed. We want to win here; we’re not going to defend a lead, we’re going to play our own game.
Could the rest this weekend be crucial?
I don’t know if it will change anything. Chelsea will be highly motivated. We’ve been able to rest and prepare for this match. Whether we play this weekend or not, our mentality remains the same. We came here to win.
