24 hours before the clash between Arsenal and PSG in the Champions League, Luis Enrique provided clarification regarding the notable absence of Ousmane Dembélé. A decision taken this Sunday. The Spanish coach faced pressing questions from journalists following the decision not to include the French winger in the squad for the trip to London. The sidelining of Dembélé, who does not suffer from any injury, was described as a “disciplinary decision”, and Luis Enrique was firm on his choice, although he made it clear that he did not did not act as an irreversible sanction.
A decision for team harmony
In his press conference, Luis Enrique insisted on the fact that a player who does not respect his obligations within the team compromises the collective dynamic. For him, this week, with a match as important as the one against Arsenal, all the players must be in the best possible condition:
« If someone seriously fails to respect their obligations to the team, that means to me that they are not prepared. Before such an important match like this, I want all the players to be in the best possible condition. »
The coach said the decision was not easy, but was necessary to protect group harmony and ensure the team remained focused on the goal. He also admitted that such a decision was the result of deep reflection and that he was ready to make it again if it proved necessary:
« I will do it 100 times if necessary, that doesn’t mean it’s irreversible. I made the best decision for the team. »
Full management support
Luis Enrique did not hesitate to mention that he has the full support of management in this decision-making. Luis Campos, the sporting director, and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the president of PSG, both validated this sidelining, strengthening the position of the Spanish coach in the management of his group. By evoking this support, Luis Enrique clearly shows that he is not acting alone and that the decision to sanction Dembélé is a collective effort within the Parisian organization chart:
« Of course, I am supported by the sports director and the president. They hired me to do a team, and I’m going to do it. »
No personal conflict with Dembélé
One of the important aspects raised by Luis Enrique during this press conference is the clarification regarding the rumors of a dispute between him and Ousmane Dembélé. The coach strongly denied any personal altercation with the player, indicating that the problem did not lie in their relationship, but in the obligations that Dembélé failed to respect as a member of the team:
« There is no problem between the player and the coach. There is a problem between the player and his obligations within a team. Nothing more. »
Luis Enrique also wanted to emphasize that the problem was resolved quickly, indicating that the situation did not drag on:
« It was fixed in five minutes. »
Strict group management
Through his words, Luis Enrique clearly showed that he is a coach concerned about discipline and the unity of his group, especially in moments as important as the preparations for a Champions League match. His speech reflects management where the team takes precedence over individuals, a strong message sent not only to Ousmane Dembélé but to the entire group.
The coach concludes by reaffirming his objective of building a team with a strong identity and impeccable cohesion, even if this involves difficult decisions:
« I signed for this club to create a team. Until my last day at PSG, I will make a team with an identity that plays, or at least that tries. »
With this strong position, Luis Enrique reaffirmed his authority and his ambition to shape a disciplined and united PSG, capable of overcoming obstacles in its quest for success, while keeping Ousmane Dembélé in his long-term plans.
