Exemplary Dembele steps up again to inspire depleted PSG
Dembele found the back of the net six minutes into added time after being superbly set up by Achraf Hakimi and the French forward also shone defensively by pressing relentlessly and initiating the move that led to his decisive goal.
"I'd give the Ballon d'Or to Mr Ousmane Dembele," coach Luis Enrique said after PSG's Champions League final win over Inter Milan. "The way he defended...only that can be worth the Ballon d'Or. This is how you lead a team."
Dembele proved his coach right once again against Bayern.
Rested for the group stage after sustaining a thigh injury and only coming off the bench after halftime in the last 16 and in the quarter-final, Dembele brought an incredible energy to a team who had been dominated by Bayern.
"It's an important period for us. We had a score to settle with Bayern after the 2020 (Champions League) final (won by Bayern 1-0) and after they beat us earlier this season," captain Marquinhos said. "We want to win this competition."
PSG went ahead through Desire Doue, his first goal in the tournament.
"I try to help the team by scoring, but also with my efforts, notably defensively," Doue said.
PSG, seeking a quadruple of titles after winning the Champions League, French Cup and the Ligue 1 title, will face Borussia Dortmund or Real Madrid for a place in the final.
They will be without centre back Willian Pacho and defender Lucas Hernandez, who picked up straight red cards after Doue's opening goal.
"The first one is a clear red card," coach Luis Enrique said. "I'm not sure about the second one. We deserved the win but it was really really hard. Nothing special. Business as usual."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
6 minutes ago
- CNA
Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi from Real Sociedad
Arsenal have signed defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said on Sunday as the club reinforced a key position weakened by departures last month. Financial details were not disclosed but British media reports said the 26-year-old had a 60 million euros ($70.67 million) release clause at Sociedad where he had a contract until 2027. Zubimendi is Arsenal's second recruit in the close-season after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen a squad that can get over the line in the title race after finishing runners-up in the last three Premier League seasons. "This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are," Zubimendi said in a statement. "I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come." Zubimendi's arrival is a welcome reinforcement for Arsenal in midfield after Jorginho and Thomas Partey left at the end of their contracts last month. Renowned for his mobility, his deep-lying playmaking skills as well as his defensive nous, Zubimendi will give Arsenal's midfield a measure of steel while also controlling the tempo in the role of a number six. His arrival would potentially allow Declan Rice, Arsenal's player of the season, to play in an advanced role alongside skipper Martin Odegaard. With Spain, Zubimendi won the European Championship in 2024, coming on for the injured Rodri in the final to help secure the trophy, while he also scored in the Nations League final earlier this month when they lost to Portugal on penalties. Getting Zubimendi on board early would also give Arteta time to work with him in pre-season ahead of a tough opening spell in the Premier League next season. Arsenal play Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United in their first six games of the campaign.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Porto appoint Farioli as head coach
Former Ajax Amsterdam and Nice manager Francesco Farioli has been appointed head coach of Porto on a two-year contract, the Portuguese side said on Sunday. Farioli left Ajax in May after the Dutch side missed out on a record 37th Eredivisie crown following a late season collapse, which allowed PSV Eindhoven to snatch the title on the final day. The Italian led Nice to a fifth-place finish in Ligue 1 in the 2023-24 season and has also coached Turkish sides Fatih Karagumruk and Alanyaspor. He replaces Martin Anselmi, who departed Porto earlier this month after their group-stage exit from the Club World Cup.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Usually stoic Miedema emotional after goalscoring milestone
LUCERNE, Switzerland :Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema rarely betrays much emotion, but her 100th goal for her country, scored in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Wales at the Women's European Championship, produced plenty of happy tears. The Dutch were comfortable winners over the debutants in their opening Group D game at Lucerne, with Miedema curling in a shot from outside the area which sailed into the far top corner, a goal worthy of the captain's milestone in her 126th international appearance, to give her side the lead and bring up a ton of goals for her country. "It's very special, this is something you don't dare dream of as a little girl," she reflected after the achievement. "It was very unreal when the milestone was getting closer, and it is extra special that it is achieved at the European Championship," she added. For the forward, it also came after a long spell out with injury, prompting her reaction. "There were definitely emotions released. Tears? Yes, when we walked on the pitch, at the goal, and after the game. That shows how much this affects me. "I think we all know how tough the past two and a half years have been for me and how hard I've worked to get here." Miedema tore her cruciate ligament at the end of 2022 and was sidelined for 10 months. Shortly after her comeback, cartilage in her knee was damaged again, and she underwent another surgery last November. THREAT On her return, she injured her knee again in April and there was a threat she might miss out on the Women's Euros. She only believed she was really going to play on the morning before the match. "I said it out loud for the first time. I don't often get nervous, but now I do. I thought: 'wow, I did it'," she said of her recovery. For Dutch coach Andries Jonker, Miedema's successful return was as good as the three points garnered from their first match at the tournament in Switzerland. "I've been asked who the best player I've worked with is? Well, Lieke Martens and Miedema are exceptional. The others are great, but those two are a step further and better." The 28-year-old Miedema is only the 10th woman to score a ton of international goals, and her coach made a comparison with Dutch great Marco van Basten. "She just sees where the goalkeeper is. I don't think many people see that, but she does. Marco van Basten also did things that made you think you could stop him. But then he takes a swing, and the ball ends up in the top corner. "Great players who don't do the logical thing but do the creative thing. Food for the enthusiast, and I am an enthusiast," said the coach.
