PSG Rest Ousmane Dembele Ahead of Champions League Trip to Manchester City
Ousmane Dembele has been left out of Paris Saint-Germain’s squad for Saturday’s 3-1 win over Le Mans, with the club prioritising his recovery before Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Manchester City.
PSG protect Dembele before City test
Paris have taken another cautious decision over the forward’s workload, opting not to use him at all against Le Mans. The stated reason is to ensure he is rested for the European fixture at the Etihad Stadium.
It is not the first time PSG have removed Dembele from the immediate picture this season. He was also absent for the earlier match against Lille, underlining Luis Enrique’s controlled approach to managing the France international.
- Dembele did not feature in the 3-1 victory over Le Mans.
- PSG face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
- The forward had previously missed a match against Lille.
- Questions have emerged over his sharpness after recent France appearances against Italy and Belgium.
Concerns over rhythm and confidence
Dembele wore the captain’s armband for France in the games against Italy and Belgium but failed to make a major impact, adding to scrutiny of his current form and match rhythm.
Christophe Dugarry fears the pattern of rests could eventually create tension between player and club. He said PSG may hold physical information unavailable to outsiders, but argued that repeatedly holding Dembele back could become difficult to manage.
Dugarry questioned whether Paris are trying to avoid an injury or preserve the attacker for February, warning that an extended spell of limited minutes could affect the player psychologically.
He also pointed to Dembele’s status as Ballon d’Or winner, his lucrative new contract and his France responsibilities. In Dugarry’s view, PSG will need a clear explanation if Dembele cannot rediscover his level while being used only intermittently.
Luis Enrique backed over selection calls
Eric Di Meco has rejected the criticism, insisting Luis Enrique has already shown he knows how to get the best from Dembele.
Di Meco highlighted earlier decisions to omit Dembele from the squad at Arsenal or introduce him only late in matches, arguing that the manager’s handling helped the player reach a level that delivered two European titles.
What happens next
Dembele’s next chance to answer the debate is likely to come in Manchester. PSG will travel to face City on Wednesday, when Luis Enrique’s fitness-first approach and the forward’s readiness will face an immediate high-pressure test.
