PSG’s Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are out injured until October, a significant blow as they prepare to defend their Champions League title and continue their Ligue 1 campaign. Dembele is sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring injury, while Doue is out for four weeks. The injuries occurred during France’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. This impacts PSG’s Champions League defense and Dembele’s Ballon d’Or prospects.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the reigning European champions, face a significant setback as key players Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue have been sidelined with injuries. Both players sustained these injuries during France's recent World Cup qualifying match against Ukraine and are expected to be out of action until October. This news comes as a blow to PSG's ambitions on both the domestic and European fronts.
According to reports from the French club, Dembele has suffered a "serious" hamstring injury, which is projected to keep him off the pitch for approximately six weeks. Meanwhile, Doue is expected to recover in around four weeks. The timing of these injuries couldn't be worse for PSG, as they prepare to defend their Champions League title and maintain their strong start in Ligue 1.
The unfortunate sequence of events saw Dembele replacing the injured Doue in the first half of France's 2-0 victory over Ukraine. However, Dembele's time on the field was cut short as he himself had to be substituted in the 81st minute due to the hamstring issue. This double blow leaves PSG's attacking options significantly depleted for the upcoming weeks.
PSG's schedule includes crucial matches in both the Champions League and Ligue 1. They are set to commence their Champions League title defense with a home game against Atalanta on September 17th. Following that, they will travel to Spain to face Barcelona, a team they defeated in last season's semi-finals, on October 1st. These matches are pivotal for PSG's ambitions in Europe, and the absence of Dembele and Doue will undoubtedly be felt.
Both Dembele and Doue played integral roles in PSG's remarkable treble-winning season last year. The team clinched the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the coveted Champions League trophy. Doue's contributions were particularly noteworthy, as he scored in the Champions League final, a resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan, and was named man of the match for his outstanding performance. Their contributions were further recognized by being named in UEFA's team of the tournament.
The injury to Dembele also casts a shadow over his chances in the Ballon d'Or race. He is considered one of the frontrunners for the prestigious award, with the ceremony scheduled to take place on September 21st. While his absence from the field may not completely derail his candidacy, it certainly impacts his momentum in the lead-up to the event.
Despite the injury setbacks, PSG have displayed impressive form in their league campaign, securing three consecutive wins and currently topping the Ligue 1 table. Their next challenge will be against Lens, following the international break. The team will need to rely on their depth and tactical flexibility to navigate these upcoming fixtures without two of their key attacking players.
The loss of Dembele and Doue presents an opportunity for other players in the squad to step up and prove their worth. PSG's coach will need to make strategic adjustments to compensate for their absence and ensure that the team remains competitive in both domestic and European competitions. The next few weeks will be a test of PSG's resilience and their ability to overcome adversity in their pursuit of further glory.
Image source, Getty ImagesDesire Doue and Ousmane Dembele won the Super Cup against Spurs in August