Manchester will host one of Europe’s heavyweight meetings on Wednesday, with Paris Saint-Germain arriving at the Etihad Stadium after giving Ousmane Dembélé a carefully managed weekend off. The France forward is expected to return to Luis Enrique’s starting side for the Champions League visit to Manchester City.
Rest in Paris, return in Manchester
- Dembélé spoke with Luis Enrique after his latest France duty and agreed that he would not feature in Saturday’s Ligue 1 match against Le Mans at the Parc des Princes, which PSG won 3-1.
- The break was only the second rest period granted to the forward since the start of the campaign.
- He is now set to resume his place for Wednesday’s European fixture in Manchester.
Dembélé said he naturally wants to be involved in every game, but accepted the need for rotation across a season that can reach 70 or 80 matches. “The manager tells me when I need a rest,” he said. “He handles the squad and the workload very well. We have to trust him.”
The 28-year-old said he was content with his own level so far, while stressing that the campaign remains young. PSG, he added, have settled well despite bringing several new players into the group.
PSG’s long European road
Paris are pursuing a third successive Champions League crown, although Dembélé saw no value in treating the City trip as a declaration to the rest of the continent.
“It is only October and there is a long way to go,” he said. “We will see when the decisive part comes.”
He nevertheless underlined the importance of finishing within the top eight of the league phase. PSG would avoid the intermediate knockout play-off by doing so, though Dembélé noted that the club have come through that route in each of the previous two seasons before lifting the trophy.
City remain a formidable stop
City approach their first home game since being found guilty by the Premier League of 114 financial-rule breaches. Dembélé did not believe that circumstance makes the English side easier opposition.
“It is always hard to play them, whether they are in a good moment or a bad one,” he said. “They have world-class players and a top-level coach in Enzo Maresca.”
Across the pitch will be Gianluigi Donnarumma, Dembélé’s former PSG colleague. The Frenchman described the goalkeeper as the best in his position and said the pair remain in regular contact.
Dembélé was unable to attend Donnarumma’s wedding during the summer, but said he sent the Italian many messages. He also recalled, with a smile, that their competitive contest had already begun on international duty when Donnarumma denied him in France’s 1-1 Nations League draw with Italy at Saint-Denis on 2 October.
