Ousmane Dembélé’s transformation at PSG under coach Luis Enrique has been pivotal in the team’s pursuit of the Champions League title. Transitioning to a striker role, Dembélé has excelled, boasting 21 goals in Ligue 1 and seven in the Champions League. His contributions, particularly a crucial equalizer against Liverpool, highlight his resurgence. With Mbappé’s departure, Dembélé has emerged as a leading force, aiming to secure PSG’s long-awaited European glory in the upcoming quarter-finals against Aston Villa.
Ousmane Dembélé’s Transformation at PSG
Paris Saint-Germain appears to have the potential to achieve their long-awaited dream of clinching the Champions League title, a feat that has eluded them for years. A significant factor in this pursuit is the remarkable performance of Ousmane Dembélé, along with a pivotal decision made by their coach, Luis Enrique.
Coaching at the elite level of football is undeniably challenging. Yet, it’s a profession where many fans believe they could excel despite lacking the necessary training and experience. In Germany, the phrase ’80 million national team coaches’ humorously highlights this sentiment when discussing the national team.
Under the guidance of coach Luis Enrique, Dembélé has transitioned to a striker position, a move that has proven to be transformative for the player.
Dembélé’s Impact on PSG’s Success
There are moments that starkly illustrate why a coach, often heavily criticized, earns millions for their strategic decisions, while critics remain confined to theoretical discussions or video games. Such a moment occurred when Luis Enrique made a strategic shift that few anticipated, revitalizing the career of Ousmane Dembélé, a player who previously struggled with consistency.
Anyone who has followed Dembélé’s journey knows of his exceptional dribbling skills, blistering pace, and technical prowess. However, much of his previous performances leaned more towards flair than efficiency. This season marks a turning point as Dembélé is on track to be the leading goal scorer in Ligue 1, currently boasting 21 goals. In the Champions League, he has also made his mark with seven goals.
Dembélé’s contributions have been crucial, exemplified by his equalizing goal against Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16, which helped PSG advance after a penalty shootout victory. In total, Dembélé has netted 32 goals across 40 competitive matches for PSG—outperforming his last five seasons combined, where he scored just 28 goals for both Barcelona and PSG.
Currently, Paris Saint-Germain has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a dramatic penalty shootout against Liverpool, showcasing the team’s resilience.
While there are multiple factors contributing to PSG’s success, a key element has been Enrique’s decision to reposition Dembélé from a winger to a central forward. Jean-Louis Gasset, the recently dismissed coach of Montpellier HSC, remarked on this shift, stating, “European teams have reason to worry because Dembélé looks like a fighting machine. Using him as a number 9 is the idea of the century, all thanks to the coach.” Gasset also noted, “PSG currently looks unbeatable. They are superior to everyone,” a statement that holds true in their domestic league, where PSG secured their championship title six matches before the season’s end.
Despite their domestic success, the yearning in Paris remains focused on achieving Champions League glory. Last season, PSG faced elimination against Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals, and once again, Dembélé found himself overshadowed by other star players during his time at both Barcelona and Paris.
However, with Kylian Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid last summer, Dembélé has finally been granted the opportunity to shine. Without the overshadowing presence of Mbappé or Lionel Messi, coupled with Enrique’s strategic plan, Dembélé is evolving into one of the most formidable strikers in Europe.
In a recent article, the esteemed French sports newspaper ‘L’Equipe’ posed the question of whether Dembélé is the best player in the world. “When I play as a ‘false nine’, I have less distance to the goal, I’m clearer, and my teammates support me very well. There are goals where I just have to step on the gas; the others have done almost all the work,” Dembélé explained, highlighting his newfound role.
Kylian Mbappé, now his former teammate, expressed pride in Dembélé’s achievements, saying, “Seeing what he has accomplished touches me personally because I know how much he has been criticized and mocked. I am his biggest fan.” The pressure is now on Dembélé to silence any remaining critics by leading PSG to a Champions League title after so many near misses.
In the quarter-finals, PSG will face Aston Villa, with the first leg scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 9 PM. Dembélé is determined to make his mark and guide his team towards their ultimate goal.