Paris Saint-Germain(PSG’s) Ousmane Dembele has expressed confidence in his ability to recover quickly from a hamstring injury sustained during the team’s Champions League semi-final win over Arsenal. Dembele scored the only goal of the game, sweeping home from Joao Neves’ cutback just three minutes into the match. However, he was forced off the pitch with 20 minutes remaining, grimacing in pain after suffering a hamstring injury in his right leg.
Dembele’s potential absence would be a significant blow to PSG’s hopes of advancing to the next round, and Arsenal would likely capitalize on his absence. Nevertheless, Dembele himself has dashed those hopes, stating, “It’s going to be fine,” as he boarded the PSG team bus after the match.
While Dembele appears optimistic about his recovery, PSG coach Luis Enrique was more cautious in his assessment. “I don’t know,” Enrique said when asked about Dembele’s condition. “He’ll undergo tests tomorrow. It’s not serious. It’s something very minor, but he’s probably a doubt for the second leg.” Enrique emphasized the team’s depth and resilience, stating, “We’re going to try to get Dembele back on the pitch. But we’re a real team. If Ousmane can play, that’s better. But if he doesn’t, we’ll still be a real team. We’ve been saying that since the start of the season.”
Dembele’s teammates also share his confidence in a quick recovery. Achraf Hakimi, who spoke with Dembele after the match, revealed that the French winger was calm and reiterated his message of being “fine.” Hakimi expressed his hope that Dembele would be fit to play in the second leg, saying, “I spoke with him a little, he’s calm, he told me he’s fine. I hope he’ll be with us next Tuesday. He did his job, he scored a goal, and he let us finish.”
Dembele’s potential return would be a significant boost to PSG’s chances of advancing in the Champions League. With his pace and skill, he has been instrumental in PSG’s success this season, scoring 33 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions. His absence would undoubtedly be felt, but PSG’s depth and squad quality would still make them formidable opponents.
The upcoming second leg promises to be an intense encounter, with both teams vying for a spot in the next round. Dembele’s fitness will be closely monitored, and his potential return could be a turning point in the tie. For now, PSG will focus on preparing for the second leg, with Dembele’s recovery being a key factor in their strategy.
