At 28, Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé is preparing ambitiously for the Champions League final against Inter Milan. Speaking to PSG’s official website, he talks about his career, his tactical evolution and the group’s state of mind ahead of this major event.
Dembélé “When you’re little you dream of playing in the Champions League”.
Ousmane, we know that the Champions League is a competition apart, that the players love to play…
“When you’re a kid, you dream of playing in the Champions League every year. In my ten seasons as a professional, I’ve taken part nine times, which is exceptional. And now, with Paris Saint-Germain, I’ve played in two semi-finals and I’ll be playing in the final this year.
How would you describe your evolution on the pitch?
I’ve changed a lot, especially in terms of my position, my style of play… I’ve changed a lot of things in my game, even though I continue to use my natural qualities. And it’s paying off. I’m in a position where I’m in front of goal, so all I have to do is take the chance, even if it’s not easy.
But I’m often in a good position. I just try to be in the right place and I hope, as I said, to keep scoring more and more goals to make the difference.
Dembélé “We really have a winning mentality”.
How do you explain the team’s cohesion?
We really enjoy playing together, attacking and defending together. We’re hungry for trophies. We really have a winning mentality, so we push each other. I think competition within the team is essential for the players to give their best.
Dembélé: “Playing in a Champions League final is extraordinary”.
How is the squad approaching the final against Inter?
These are matches we want to play, matches we’ve been dreaming of since we were kids. Playing in a Champions League final is extraordinary. You have to be very focused and very proud. And I hope we win this match. But it won’t be easy against this Inter team, who are really difficult to play against. I’ve been watching them all season. They’re a great team, but anything can happen in the final.”
At Paris Saint-Germain, collective confidence is a key factor in the run-up to the Champions League final. This positive dynamic, fuelled by recent successes and shared determination, enables the group to express itself fully on the pitch.
The players push each other to give their all, aware that individual success depends above all on cohesion and solidarity. This confidence, patiently built up over the course of the season, is now one of PSG’s major assets when it comes to this historic meeting.
But they face a formidable opponent in the shape of Inter Milan. The Italian club, renowned for its defensive solidity and ability to adapt to any scenario, is approaching the final with great rigor and a strong desire for revenge after letting the Serie A title slip through their fingers. Inter rely on a close-knit team, ready to suffer together and pull together in difficult moments.
This tough team, rarely behind in the scoreline, excels in the management of strong and weak moments, and knows how to take advantage of the slightest opportunity to make the difference. The final promises to be an intense duel in which PSG’s confidence will be sorely tested by Inter Milan’s resilience and experience.
