Dembele returns for PSG after six weeks out

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AFP) — Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele was on Monday included in Paris Saint-Germain’s squad to face Bayer Leverkusen within the Champions League after a six-week harm layoff.

Dembele’s return for Tuesday’s league stage recreation will come as a great addition for coach Luis Enrique, whose facet has been battling accidents this season.

Dembele, 28, has been out since injuring a hamstring whereas on worldwide responsibility with France in early September.

He had been recuperating at a specialist clinic in Qatar and returned to coaching final week.

He missed out on PSG’s entertaining 3-3 draw in opposition to Strasbourg on Friday however may play some function in Germany because the European champions search to make it three wins out of three within the Champions League thus far this season.

Leverkusen centre-back Loic Bade, Dembele’s teammate within the France squad, informed reporters Monday there was “no secret recipe” to stopping the PSG ahead, calling him “an entire participant with a number of qualities”.

“He received the Ballon d’Or — in fact he’s received quite a lot of high quality. He’s good with each toes. I don’t suppose he’s received a weak facet,” Bade stated.

“You want to suppose as a crew, defend as a crew and be as compact together with your teammates as attainable.”

PSG welcomed again forwards Need Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was a substitute, in opposition to Strasbourg.

They’re, nevertheless, nonetheless lacking midfield duo Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, though captain Marquinhos, one other current harm absentee, has travelled to Germany with the squad.

Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand, who took over when former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was sacked in September after simply two league video games, stated PSG’s high-energy press was “a weapon” but additionally “a threat.”

“They’re a brilliant crew who’ve developed additional since final yr,” the Dane stated.

“(However) we now have quite a lot of high quality in our crew and we wish to present it. We’ve received belief in our recreation.”

Leverkusen, Bundesliga champions in 2024, drew with FC Copenhagen and PSV Eindhoven of their first two Champions League video games of the season.