It’s just lip reading and interpretation of gestures but concern seems appropriate for Ousmane Dembélé. While he was not a starter during the narrow victory against Nice (1-0), the reigning Golden Ball came on in the 72nd minute to replace Warren Zaire-Emery and find some rhythm before facing Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday (9 p.m.).
But in a video broadcast by Ligue 1+ just after this match counting for the 11th day of Ligue 1, the French international, who was thanking the supporters present at the Parc des Princes, seemed to complain of pain in Achraf Hakimi.
While applauding in front of the kop, the Parisian, author of two goals and an assist in Ligue 1 this season, apparently tells his teammate that he has a sore hamstring. And to put his words into action by holding the back of his right thigh before taking his hand to rush forward and celebrate this victory.
Then we see him surreptitiously stretching the muscle. So simple discomfort or real injury? We should know more in the hours and days to come as the clash against Bayern is already looming on Tuesday evening at the Parc des Princes.
Luis Enrique, who already has to cope without Désiré Doué, injured in the right thigh against Lorient, would really need his star striker against the Bavarians, who have won all their matches this season.
Ousmane Dembélé is having an upset start to the season. He missed a month and a half of competition after being injured in early September with the France team against Ukraine. He only returned to competition on October 21 in Leverkusen.
