On Wednesday, as part of matchday 7 of the Champions League 2024-2025 league phase, Paris Saint-Germain (25th) take on Manchester City (22nd) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on Canal+). On the eve of the match, Parisian striker Ousmane Dembélé (27) answered a number of questions at a press conference.
Dembélé “I feel ready, I’ve been able to train with my teammates.”
Are you ready for tomorrow?
Yes, I’m feeling much better. I had a bit of a flu, well not a bit (smile). I was in a bad way, but I’ve been feeling better since Saturday. I feel ready and I’ve been able to train with my team-mates.
Why didn’t you play against Arsenal?
The coach talked about some things in the press conference. I’m not going to go into it again, it’s a closed file.
Dembélé “We need a bit of madness.”
Will the key be to have discipline and bring some madness to turn the game around?
Of course it will. We’re going to give it our all. We know it won’t be easy against Manchester City. But we’ve got our weapons, our supporters and we’ve prepared well for the match. It’s a decisive match if we want to stay in the Champions League. We need to be a bit crazy, play on instinct sometimes. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got to take 3 points. In some games we would have deserved more, but that’s soccer.
Is it the right time for you to be effective in the LDC?
I’m feeling good, and lately I’ve been efficient. It’s like that, sometimes it’s in and sometimes it’s not. The team has to score tomorrow to win, so I’m going to try and score.
Dembélé “I like to have chances.”
Any particular pressure, given the rotation in the last games?
No, Hakimi and Marquinhos had a little trouble. We’re preparing as usual, calm and collected. We’re going to try to apply what the coach says tomorrow, and we’re going to try to win.
What do you like about being a false 9 and a winger?
What I like in the centre is that we’re quick in front of goal and we have chances. But there are a lot of position changes, with Doué, Barcola or Lee. We find ourselves in front of goal a lot. I like having chances.
Has Luis Enrique’s confidence helped you turn a corner, particularly in terms of efficiency?
Before I signed here, I spoke to the coach and he gave me his full confidence. I try to give my all for the club and for him.
Dembélé “We’re preparing as usual, with serenity and concentration.”
What are your thoughts on Manchester City? Some fans were talking about jinxes because they’re back to their best?
They’re a great team, they’ve won a lot of Premier League titles. We’ll have to be extremely concentrated. Anything is possible in a match. We’re going to play our game, in front of our fans. We have a lot of confidence in ourselves.
Pogba said yesterday that he’d like to join a club that plays in the LDC, did you mention PSG?
I hope he’ll be back on the pitch, because we know he’s a great player. We haven’t talked about the project, the directors are looking at that. I hope he’ll be back with the French national team very soon.
Any special preparation? A specific video session? Or the usual?
As I said, we prepare as usual. We always have video sessions. We prepare as usual, with serenity and concentration.
Is this the most important match since you arrived in Paris?
I think it’s one of the most important. There’s also Newcastle in the return leg last year. And let’s not forget the double-header against Barcelona.
Dembélé “On my side, we get on very well, we don’t need to give each other too many instructions.”
Tell us about your relationship with Hakimi.
It’s been very good, from day one, both off and on the pitch. We communicate a lot and understand each other quickly. I know when he wants the ball deep or at his feet. It happens naturally.
You’ve taken on the number 10 jersey, you’re a world champion, how do you help the youngsters in games like this?
We talk a lot about the situations that can arise in a match. We don’t need to give each other too many instructions. We try to be calm and talk about everything. We know we’re going to have to be very focused against a team like that. After that, it’s up to the coach (smiles).
Is it a click in efficiency or work?
No, it’s not a click, but I said I’d score more. I project myself more, I’m calmer, so I score more. I hope to continue like this. Above all, I’m trying to help the team, score and make decisive passes.
How are you getting on with your objectives, with the challenge for the watch?
(smiles) I’m still a little way off, I need more. But the most important thing is for the team to win. Especially tomorrow. I’d like to play in the Champions League again in February.
