Rummenigge on PSG v Bayern: Paris evolving, Dembélé and Doué | OneFootball

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the legendary former Bayern Munich striker (1974-1984) and for several years now a member of its supervisory board, spoke to T-online. The executive discussed the club’s current affairs at length, including the Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain (first leg this Tuesday, April 28 at the Parc des Princes, return leg on May 6 at the Allianz Arena). This led him to comment on PSG’s development, their current strength, as well as past attempts to sign Ousmane Dembélé (28-year-old forward) and Désiré Doué (20-year-old midfielder/forward).

Rummenigge: “The two matches against PSG will demand the very best from us.”

What are your expectations for the team in this Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain?

The two matches against PSG will demand the very best from us. Everyone will have to be at the top of their game, and the team will have to replicate exactly the performance from the 2-1 win in Paris in the league — in both matches.

They played fantastic football in the first half. And in the second half, after Luis Díaz was sent off, their defending reminded me of that old Sepp Herberger maxim (the coach of West Germany’s 1954 World Cup-winning team).

Which one?

“One for all, all for one.” The team’s defending was exemplary, with total commitment on every shot and every dribble. That match is now the benchmark for the two semifinals.

Rummenigge: “PSG have proved something essential.”

Is the clash between Bayern Munich and PSG the eagerly awaited final before the final?

Of course, it could also be a great final, but we are in the semifinals. Arsenal were praised for a long time, but now seem to be experiencing a slight dip in the league and could well lose top spot in the Premier League to Manchester City. Nevertheless, the other two semifinalists should not be underestimated.

What makes PSG so dangerous?

Since Luis Enrique arrived as coach in 2023, the Paris team has become a top-class side, built very intelligently. PSG have proved something essential.

Rummenigge: “Before, people went to PSG for the money; now, it’s because it’s one of the three best clubs in Europe.”

What?

You can’t just buy everything; you also have to build a team patiently. When we beat them in the 2020 Champions League final, they had Neymar and Kylian Mbappé in their squad. A year later, Lionel Messi joined them. On paper, it was a fantastic team, but it was clear that it did not function as well as the current side. Today, it is a well-organized team with a lot of quality, especially in midfield and attack.

Before, people went to PSG for the money; now, it’s because it’s one of the three best clubs in Europe. It has to be said that they have done a good job. European football can be glad not to rely only on English or Spanish teams of that caliber anymore.

Rummenigge: “So it was obvious that we, as a club sponsored by Adidas, would not necessarily be the priority.”

Ousmane Dembélé (2016) and Désiré Doué (2024) were also on Bayern Munich’s radar in the past. They now play for PSG. Are you disappointed that those transfers did not happen?

I was personally involved in the Dembélé case (as CEO; editor’s note). We, and especially our sporting director at the time, Michael Reschke, were determined to sign him, but unfortunately Dortmund beat us to it.

Why?

At the time, Dembélé was playing for Stade Rennais. The club’s owners were also the owners of Puma. Dortmund had a kit deal with Puma. So it was obvious that we, as a club sponsored by Adidas, would not necessarily be the priority. He was an exceptional player, but as we saw, he quickly left Dortmund for Barcelona. He is undeniably a very good player, but he also needs to be managed well.

Rummenigge: “It’s a fact that has to be accepted; it’s part of the game.”

And Doué.

We would have loved to sign him; he would have fit our team perfectly. But he chose Paris because he wanted to stay in France. Inevitably, we will miss out on some players in the future because other clubs may offer higher wages. It’s a fact that has to be accepted; it’s part of the game. As you can see, Paris and we are handling that situation rather well.

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