Dembélé on his famous pressing and the big difference in the centre

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·11 September 2025

Dembélé on his famous pressing and the big difference in the centre

During the 2024-2025 season, with the Champions League final as the pinnacle, Ousmane Dembélé has become a symbol of the pressing carried out by the attackers of Paris Saint-Germain. The 28-year-old French international spoke to the media outlet Onze Mondial about this image, the efforts, and the significant difference in defending in the center.

Dembélé: "I am the first to press, but really, the whole team contributes to this work."

"Have you turned a defensive gesture into a decisive one, do you realize that? (Direct) It's the coach, it's the manager who asks me not to give defenders and goalkeepers time to maneuver, to have time to think. I am constantly on alert. Especially when we don't have the ball, even though most of the time, we do have the ball. Well, it's not just me pressing. My teammates also help me a lot. If I press alone, I'm dead. Here, we're talking about me because I'm the attacker, I'm the first to press, but really, the whole team contributes to this work. It's something important, especially with our style of play. During the Champions League final, I ran a lot, a lot. That also made the difference. It's good, we're going to continue on this path."

Dembélé: "Pressing on the side and in the center is really not the same."

And yet, initially, you didn't like defending... Ooooh but you know, pressing on the side and in the center is really not the same.

Explain the difference to me. In the center, you have 10, 15 meters to cover and then you can rest. On the side, if the full-back goes to your camp, you have to follow him, so you have more running to do. When you play on the wing, defensive tracking takes more energy, it's not the same (smile)."

It's interesting to see how Dembélé is always focused on the collective. It's refreshing after Wilfrid Mbappé's comments yesterday, highlighting goals when discussing his son's defensive efforts. Here we see the importance of the Parisian attacker's pressing and the team's effort. It's a job that must be done together for it to work.

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The Parisian number 10 shouldn't go it alone either, as he would simply be eliminated. Football is collective above all, things must be done together. Dembélé also understands well what he needs to do to help. This without exhausting himself either. Since the team's effort allows for ball recovery, and thus not having to run for long. Also, because he can take time to catch his breath at times. At least, he doesn't sprint constantly.

So it's a rhythm that seems feasible, not just for Dembélé. But we appreciate that he has the desire and intelligence to do it. There is probably no choice to play with coach Luis Enrique. We must take full advantage as it's delightful to watch this team.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.