Luis Enrique acknowledged that the competition winner of Paris Saint-Germain Ousmane Dembele “is a doubt for the second stage” against Arsenal.
PSG earned a 1-0 win in the first stage of their Champions League semi-final in the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, with Dembele scored the winning goal in the fourth minute.
There were 26 passes in the construction of the PSG goal, most of them registered in the competition (since 2003-04).
Only Robert Lewandowski (40), Harry Kane (36) and Kylian Mbappe (34) have scored more goals this season in Europe's Big Five Leagues in all competitions than Dembele (33), while his 25 goals in 2025 are at least five more than any other player at the time.
This season he was also directly involved in 11 goals in the Champions League (eight goals, three assists), in which the record of Mbappe was agreed for the most target involvement by a PSG player in a single campaign of the competition (in 2020-21).
Dembele, however, was forced in the 70th minute with what is said to be a hamstring injury, which could lead to a big blow to PSG.
Luis Enrique remains convinced that his party can build on their advantage to reach the final, even if they are without the Frenchman for the return bone in the Parc des Princes.
“We're going to try to get Dembele back on the field,” said Luis Enrique. “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.”
When he was pressed to the extent of the injury, he added: “I don't know.
“He will undergo tests tomorrow. It's not serious, it's something very small, but he is probably a doubt for the second stage.”
PSG earned their very first victory over Arsenal because they had won none of their first five meetings with the Gunners in the Champions League.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has made important rescues to protect its clean leaf, while PSG missed great opportunities to take a greater advantage back to Paris, with Goncalo Ramos that hit the bar.
Despite the fact that he only has a slim benefit in the middle of the stage, Luis Enrique is convinced that the French champions will find the right solution to reach the final.
“We showed our mentality every day,” he told Canal+. “It was a very emotional match.
“It is difficult to play in this incredible atmosphere. The goal at the start of the game was important for our trust.
“We have to think about controlling the game. We have to play at home with the fans, we will be ready.”