Dembélé injured, Doué dazzles to replace him in PSG’s contrasting night at Monaco | OneFootball

Ousmane Dembélé went off with muscular discomfort after 27 minutes in Monaco, and Désiré Doué came on to tilt this play-off first leg in Paris Saint-Germain’s favour.

“I try to play as usual. It paid off tonight. I was able to help the team, that is my job,” he said. “Whether it is defeat or victory, it is collective,” he added, speaking to Canal+.

Dembélé had been a doubt before kick-off, the issue stemming from Friday’s 1-3 defeat at Rennes. The scene echoed 4 November, when he started against Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes, then was withdrawn after 25 minutes having felt pain following a 1-0 win over Nice three days earlier. His desire to feature overrode warning signs in training, and it is unlikely this setback will push Luis Enrique towards extreme caution, even if that tests PSG’s number 10 after his managed return late 2025.

The match swung after Dembélé’s exit and Doué took charge. He celebrated his first goal by covering his ears, which could be read as an answer to criticism after Rennes, where many outside the club felt Dembélé’s remarks about individualism were aimed at him.

Doué had a shot pushed out by Philipp Köhn for Achraf Hakimi to equalise, then struck twice himself, completing his brace with a left-foot cross-shot at the end of a slick team move.

Those close to him see a gradual progression, noting a recent injury and a lack of mental and physical freshness, and believe that at 20 he will learn from it. Captain Marquinhos praised his mentality and impact from the bench, and Luis Enrique said he was sensational.

Source: L'Équipe