"He did not respect nor comply with the obligations of the team"- Luis Enrique on Dembele

PSG see themselves facing Arsenal in their second match of the Champions League league-phase on Tuesday, after sealing victory against Girona (1-0) in the first round. However, PSG striker Ousmane Dembele will miss out on the clash, as he was ruled out by head coach Luis Enrique for disciplinary reasons. 

The PSG boss spoke on his decision in a press conference on Monday ahead of the match. "I’m not going to make a saga or soap opera out of this. There was no argument between Dembele and me, that is totally false. There was a problem with the player’s responsibility to the team but not a problem between the player and the coach. Nothing else," he stated. 

“If someone does not respect or comply with the obligations and requirements of the team it means they’re not ready. In such an important week with such an important game coming up, I want my players to be in the best possible condition," he said on the French player. "Therefore, I have put him aside. My objective is to do the best for my team. You think it’s easy to make a team? No. Making a team takes certain circumstances that can be difficult. Yesterday, I had to make a difficult decision in leaving Dembele out of the squad, but I think it’s the best decision without any doubt. I would make it 100 times more. That doesn’t mean the situation is irreversible.”

"I signed for PSG last season to make a team. That is something I can guarantee. Until the last day that I’m in Paris, I’m going to make a team. A team that is brave, daring, and plays good football. We will go out there to try to win every game like we will do tomorrow. I can guarantee all of that. Until my last day in PSG I will do it," he continued. "And of course, I was backed by the board, the sporting director, the president, and the club in excluding Dembele from the squad because they brought me to build a team and that’s what I’m going to do, create a team. And of course, also with Ousmane Dembele. Dembele is in my team if anyone has any doubt."

The manager had asked journalists to stop binging up the subject, however, with a fourth consecutive question on the player, Luis Enrique's final answer leaned more towards irony. "It seems we have never lost when Dembele plays? No. We lost against Newcastle, Milan, home against Barca. Oh how scary! Phewwww," he concluded.

 

September 30, 2024