Ousmane Dembélé fit and in form for Trophée des champions against Marseille | OneFootball

After a strong display on Sunday against Paris FC, Ousmane Dembélé looks back to himself, just in time for Thursday’s Trophée des champions against Marseille in Kuwait City, kick-off 19:00.

According to Le Progres, Luis Enrique viewed it as Dembélé’s best outing of the season and said he had regained his level, while Désiré Doué praised his influence and leadership after the 2-1 derby win.

Despite a few loose touches, the Ballon d'Or winner’s first Ligue 1 start since late October included incisive passes and a goal, his fifth of the season. It followed an injury-hit spell and a missed penalty against Flamengo in December’s Intercontinental Cup final.

In Doha he had offered few accelerations and often played safe from midfield, but he looked livelier against Vendée Fontenay Foot before Christmas in the Coupe de France, then again versus Paris FC. The France international has 57 caps and seven goals.

The plan is a gradual build-up, with Luis Enrique managing his minutes to peak at the right time. For now he is expected to start again on Thursday, aiming to begin 2026 as he began 2025.

Almost a year ago in Doha he struck in the 90+2 minute to beat Monaco 1-0 and lift the Trophée des champions, the first of an historic run capped by the Champions League. The European champions flew on Tuesday with a near full attacking group, missing Ibrahim Mbaye, at AFCON, and injured Quentin Ndjantou. Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are likely to flank him.

Source: Le Progres