Ousmane Dembélé's Injury Overshadows PSG's Champions League Victory Over Monaco

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faced AS Monaco in a Champions League playoff match at Stade Louis II, where they secured a 3-2 victory despite losing forward Ousmane Dembélé to injury in the first half. Dembélé, who has had a challenging season marred by injuries, exited the match in the 26th minute after appearing to suffer a leg problem. His replacement, Désiré Doué, made a significant impact by scoring twice and assisting in another goal, helping PSG recover from an early 2-0 deficit.

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Dembélé's injury concerns were evident as he was seen rubbing his left calf before leaving the pitch. PSG head coach Luis Enrique stated that he did not take risks by starting Dembélé, emphasizing that the player had trained normally leading up to the match. "We know what shape each player is in. No risk, he trained normally," Enrique remarked. However, Dembélé's history of injuries, including a previous setback while playing for France and another early exit against Bayern Munich in November, raises questions about his fitness moving forward.

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PSG initially struggled, trailing 2-0 before Dembélé's departure. Following his exit, Doué quickly turned the tide by scoring a goal just two minutes later, followed by a crucial equalizer from Achraf Hakimi just before halftime. Doué's performance was particularly noteworthy as he celebrated his goals with gestures that seemed to dismiss recent criticisms of his play. "The coach makes his choices. It's always a collective effort whether we win or lose," Doué stated after the match.

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In addition to Dembélé's injury, the match featured a missed penalty by PSG's Vitinha, saved by Monaco's goalkeeper Philipp Köhn, and a red card issued to Monaco's Aleksandr Golovin for a foul on Vitinha early in the first half. Doué's second goal came in the 67th minute, further solidifying PSG's lead as they prepare for the return leg in Paris next Wednesday.

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Luis Enrique's comments reflect a mix of concern and optimism regarding Dembélé's condition and the team's performance. He acknowledged the need for improvement following a recent loss to Rennes that had seen PSG fall from the top of Ligue 1. The coach's focus on collective effort and resilience was echoed by Doué, who emphasized the importance of teamwork in overcoming challenges.

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Despite the victory, there remains criticism regarding PSG's inconsistency, particularly after their recent loss in Ligue 1. Enrique's earlier remarks about the need for his star players to step up suggest a level of dissatisfaction with the team's current form, which may impact their performance in future matches.

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PSG will look to build on this victory as they prepare for the return leg against Monaco, where they will aim to secure their advancement in the Champions League. The status of Dembélé's injury will be closely monitored as the team navigates this critical phase of the season.

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