Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has played down concerns over Ousmane Dembele's fitness after the winger limped off during Sunday evening's friendly against Paris FC. The Ballon d'Or winner lasted only 27 minutes before heading straight down the tunnel in PSG's 2-1 defeat to their local rivals, raising alarm bells with the Champions League final against Arsenal now just 13 days away.
Precautionary Substitution
Dembele appeared to clutch his leg before being replaced by Goncalo Ramos, a move that French media described as precautionary amid fears of a muscle strain. While Arsenal fans might have felt a glimmer of hope at the prospect of facing PSG without their most valuable asset, Enrique was quick to dismiss any serious speculation.
'I think it's just fatigue,' the Spaniard said after the match. 'What we're saying today is just speculation, but I don't think it's anything serious, and there are still two weeks left.'
Dembele's Integral Role
Dembele has been pivotal to PSG's campaign, scoring 19 goals and providing 11 assists across all competitions, including seven goals in the Champions League. The French champions had already secured the league title before facing Paris FC, yet Enrique fielded a strong starting XI featuring Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, and Dembele, likely to maintain sharpness ahead of the final.
PSG, the current holders, will defend their European crown against Arsenal in Budapest on Saturday, May 30, after overcoming Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. Mikel Arteta's side reached their first Champions League final since 2006 by defeating Atletico Madrid, still chasing their first-ever title.
The concern over Dembele's condition extends beyond PSG, with France national team manager Didier Deschamps also monitoring the situation closely ahead of the FIFA World Cup, now only 24 days away.
