Luis Enrique dropped Ousmane Dembélé from the PSG squad facing Arsenal on Tuesday. The French international was Ligue 1’s best assist-maker in his debut season with the Parisians. He also started the new campaign on a scintillating form as he already scored more goals than last season.
But Friday’s game against his ex-club Stade Rennais suddenly created friction between the fleet-footed winger and his outspoken coach. Subsequently, Dembélé is out of Enrique’s 22-man list for PSG’s trip to London.
PSG’s boss played down the incident by saying, “There was no fight between us. There was simply an issue concerning his obligation towards the team. I want the best for the team, and I left him out,” Enrique said.
Dembélé in top form, but out of squad when Arsenal welcomes PSG
L’Equipe reported the two parties clashed after PSG maintained their lead in the Ligue 1 standings with a 3-1 success over Rennes. Dembélé was the provider for Bradley Barcola’s opening goal and he was only substituted off eight minutes from time.
At first, it was taken as another move by Enrique to rest one of his key players for the Champions League. The former Barcelona coach did the same with his captain Marquinhos and Barcola, who scored a brace to take his tally to six goals.
But Dembélé criticized Enrique’s in-game decision in a post-match debriefing session. The assist continued his run of direct goal involvement in all Ligue 1 games this season. Dembélé scored the goal that put the champions ahead in the 85th minute against Le Havre in the season opener.
Before September’s international break, he provided two assists in their 6-0 rout of Montpellier and won a penalty against Lille. After his brace against Brest, Enrique praised his transformation in front of the goal by saying “he’s more confident than before.”
Despite starting the game on the bench, Dembélé was on target even when PSG dropped points for the first…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/psg-leaves-ousmane-dembele-off-squad-for-arsenal-trip/
Author : Eskender Tamrat
Publish date : 2024-09-30 18:15:17
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