Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said yesterday, Monday, that he excluded striker Ousmane Dembélé from the team that will play in the Champions League match against Arsenal tonight, after the player failed to meet the team’s “requirements.”
French media reported that the coach and player held a discussion after Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-1 victory over Rennes on Friday, and that Dembélé was excluded from the squad for tonight’s match against Arsenal for disciplinary reasons.
Luis Enrique confirmed that there was no dispute between him and Dembélé, and that he made this decision for the benefit of the team.
Luis Enrique told a press conference, “If someone does not adhere to the team’s requirements, it means that he is not ready. This means that in such an important week, and with an important match coming up, we need every player to be at the top of his concentration.”
He continued, “My goal is to give my best for the team, and this was my decision.”
The coach was exposed to more pressure due to making this important decision to exclude a player who had scored 4 goals in 6 league matches before this important European match.
“You think it’s easy to form a team,” the coach said. “You press a button and the best 11 players play and everything goes well. No, forming a team requires a certain amount of circumstances that can be difficult. Yesterday I had to make a difficult decision but I think it is the best decision.” “Without a doubt.”
He continued, “I would take it 100 times again. This does not mean that the situation is irreversible. But this is the best situation for the team now in my opinion.”
The coach did not provide more details about what happened with Dembélé, but he said that his job is to build a team and this is what he will continue to do.
He explained, “I will not create a crisis out of the matter. There was no dispute between me and the player. There was a problem with the player’s responsibility towards the team. Nothing else… I signed with Paris Saint-Germain last season to form a team. This is what I stress. Until today The last time I’m in Paris, I’ll make a team.”
He concluded that his team is “courageous and bold and plays good football or tries. On the first day I cannot do that, I will return to my home.”
Paris Saint-Germain won its opening match in the Champions League 1-0 over Girona, while Arsenal tied 0-0 away from home with Atalanta.
