Ousmane Dembélé Inspires PSG Comeback Win Over Strasbourg
Ousmane Dembélé came off the bench to drive Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Strasbourg on Saturday, scoring once and creating another in a decisive second-half contribution.
The 29-year-old was also frustrated by a missed penalty, but his goal and assist ensured PSG took the points as he extended the strong form he had shown in the Champions League against Manchester City.
Quick facts
- PSG beat Strasbourg 3-1 in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
- Dembélé began the match among the substitutes.
- He supplied one goal and one assist after entering the game.
- His missed spot-kick was PSG’s latest issue from penalties this season.
- Paris have converted just one of four penalty attempts.
- PSG host Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday at Parc des Princes.
Luis Enrique said Dembélé’s understanding of different attacking roles has been shaped by his time at Barcelona. The PSG coach pointed to the forward’s ability to recognise when to stay wide and when to move into central areas.
“Barcelona is the best football school,” Enrique said. “You can see in the way he plays that he understands so much already. A player with that background fits what I want because he knows whether he should be on the flank or inside. That reading of the game is vital for us.”
Enrique jokingly suggested that Dembélé’s latest output made a longer appearance unnecessary. “I told him that if he can come on for 25 minutes, make a goal and score another, then he does not need any more time,” he said.
The penalty miss remains a concern for the French champions. Dembélé reacted angrily after failing from the spot, with PSG still without an established first-choice taker despite having several capable options.
Enrique said the figures were difficult to assess, particularly because the side have had reliable takers in major finals. He named Vitinha and Dembélé among the players available, while accepting that the squad does not currently have a clear specialist.
Attention now turns to Barcelona. Dembélé and Enrique will meet their former club in Tuesday’s Champions League tie, and the winger’s recent impact has strengthened his case to feature prominently against the Catalan side at Parc des Princes.
