Lizarazu slams a 'pathetic' PSG over the Dembélé and Deschamps row

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·09 de setembro de 2025

Lizarazu slams a 'pathetic' PSG over the Dembélé and Deschamps row

Bixente Lizarazu, former left-back for the French national team (World Cup champion in 1998 and European champion in 2000) and notably for Bayern Munich (as well as Olympique de Marseille), joined L’Equipe in the media battle between Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team since Friday night, following Ousmane Dembélé’s (28-year-old forward) injury during the match against Ukraine. According to him, PSG has no reason to complain and should instead question itself, not forgetting to target a crazy schedule.

“He has no reason to take any particular risk with Dembélé”

“Paris is putting a lot of pressure on the French national team and I don’t find that correct or respectful towards Didier Deschamps. His experience as a player or coach is far greater than anyone else’s. He has no reason to take any particular risk with Dembélé and if he played him, it’s because the player felt ready and he thought it was OK. Questioning Deschamps’ professionalism is quite pathetic. Accusing him of negligence as well. From experience, I know you can’t control everything with an injury, whether you’re coming back from one or even when you’re in top form and can get injured at any moment. On the other hand, I can understand PSG being annoyed by the injuries to Dembélé and Désiré Doué, but they should really be annoyed at the schedule, at this Club World Cup at the end of an already exhausting season.”

Lizarazu: “It was PSG who started him in the Supercup”

Dembélé has had several injuries since June. That’s a trend that should be a general warning for a player who has been heavily used and who probably pushed himself too hard in the excitement of a fantastic season. Yet, it was PSG who started him in the Supercup, after three weeks of vacation and only one week of training. You could also wonder and say it’s dangerous to come back so quickly, so abruptly. Just because Paris had a fantastic season in terms of physical management doesn’t mean they’ll have the same success this year. (…) All the players are affected by this completely crazy, abnormal season. They are weakened, which requires even smarter management. (…) We’re also in an ego war, with everyone thinking they know better than the other, and there will need to be dialogue for things to return to normal.”

There is a fair point, highlighted by all players, coaches, media, and supporters: the schedule is becoming “dangerous” for the players. Injuries are already part of the sport, but the risk is increased by a relentless pace. Players from the biggest clubs and national teams hardly have any real recovery time left. Even during the short vacations they get, they must keep in shape to quickly get back into action. This requires the different staff to be careful, to manage effort and playing time.

Vídeos OneFootball

As Lizarazu says, PSG was particularly strong, and probably a bit lucky, last season. It’s hard to keep that up this year, with a shortened preparation. The club could have appreciated some “help” from the French national team, with a bit of caution. Dembélé started against Tottenham, but the whole PSG squad had just returned and it was impossible to rotate with a fresher player. The players also needed to build up rhythm by getting some playing time. He was also on the bench against Nantes on matchday 2, coming on for 30 minutes.

There, he had suffered a muscle warning the previous weekend and had only been able to do one team training session. If Dembélé had been in top form, he would surely have started. Bringing him on, why not. But right at halftime, it really looked like a risk. It’s always possible to get injured, but it’s also possible to minimize the chances a bit. That wasn’t the case here and it’s mainly PSG who will pay the consequences. It’s “easier” to digest on the national team’s side. We just have to admit that it was possible to be more cautious and stop acting as if PSG is responsible for everything.

But Lizarazu still finishes very rightly: “there will need to be dialogue.” Consultants’ barbs will lead nowhere, whether against PSG or the FFF. What’s needed above all is mutual support, communication. This applies to football in general, especially regarding the schedule.

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