Ousmane Dembele scored the winning goal while Paris Saint-Germain Arsenal defeated in the first stage of their semi-final of the Champions League, but the attacker is an injury doubt for the second stage
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has offered an update on Ousmane Dembele after being forced on Tuesday with an injury in the first stage of their semi-final collision of the Champions League with Arsenal.
Dembele scored the only goal of the game while PSG Arsenal defeated 1-0 at the Emirates, but he was replaced in the second half by Bradley Barcola after a hamstring problem. The attacker has been an important player for PSG this season, with 33 goals in 45 games in all competitions.
And although Enrique does not believe that it is a “serious injury”, he has admitted that Dembele doubts the second stage in the Parc des Princes next week. “He will undergo tests tomorrow,” Enrique said at his press conference after the game.
“It is not serious, it is something very small, but he is probably a doubt for the second stage. We are going to try to get Dembele back on the field. But we are a real team.
“If Ousmane can play, that's better. But if he doesn't, we're still a real team. We've said that since the start of the season.”
Disadvently about PSG's victory in the first stage, Enrique added: “We think about how difficult this competition was, because the atmosphere in the stadium was incredible. But I think we showed our true mentality, we started well and we gave ourselves trust.
“I think it's a great moment for us, but we have to recover and think about the next game. The return bone will be difficult and tight. But we are very happy and I think we have given our fans something to cheer about: the joy to see our mentality and our ambition to play in every game.
“There are many emotions tonight, but I think we really have to enjoy the support of our fans, because they are incredible every time. Today there were 2500 of them and everyone felt their support for the team.
“We know that it will be difficult that there will be times of suffering, but with the support of our fans and with the character we have shown, we will show what a real team we are. We are happy, but we can improve. Everyone has to know.”
PSG defender Willian Pacho added: “I am very happy, to be honest, with the desire and with the way the team played. With the dedication that everyone has shown of us. To play against Arsenal is difficult, but we did what the coach asked of us early.
“We played well and we are happy. I know that when we play together, as a team, nobody can beat us. The support of the fans is incredible. We have heard them here and it will be the same at home.
“Their support is exceptional. They are very important and will stay that way, as they have always been. We are together, a united family, and we will win together.”