Coupe de France: Dembélé’s Return & Ovation

An assist for the opener from Désiré Doué, then a converted penalty a few minutes later allowed him to be decisive twice during the same meeting for the first time since August 30 (against Toulouse in Ligue 1). A few days before his injury against Ukraine in the French team. Which earned him a standing ovation from the Stade de la Beaujoire at the time of his exit, not resentful towards a player trained at rival Stade Rennais.

Which, while failing to bring a smile to his face, made his teammates happy. “He deserves it, he is exceptional” greeted his companion in attack Désiré Doué at the microphone of beIN Sports after the meeting. “When attackers score goals, it’s positive for theminstead chose to retain his coach Luis Enrique. We’re happy, I think we did what we wanted.” And this should not silence the suspicions of a rift between the two men. This Friday, on the eve of the match, information from Canal+ reported a potential incomprehension on the part of Ousmane Dembélé regarding its use by the Parisian staff.

Already influential on the game

The question now is whether Luis Enrique and the PSG staff think the same. The scope of the lessons learned from a Cup match against amateurs just before the holidays is necessarily limited, but Ousmane Dembélé pleaded his cause this Saturday evening. His influence on the game of Paris Saint-Germain is felt even against semi-professionals, and his passing game is still brilliant. And not just when he gave Désiré Doué an assist. But, even if the winter break, however short, should do good for the spirits and rest the bodies, there are small signs that speak volumes. When Ousmane Dembélé left, Désiré Doué and Warren Zaire-Emery also gave up their place. And of the three men, only the Ballon d’Or did not have the right to a little word from Luis Enrique. In a club where everyone knows that every gesture is scrutinized, it’s difficult to say that it’s completely harmless.