Ousmane Dembélé ahead of PSG's Champions League round of 16 second leg against Chelsea: "I don't regret my words"

On the eve of the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Chelsea (Tuesday, 9 p.m.), the Ballon d'Or winner stood by his statements after the defeat in Rennes (1-3, on February 13), where he criticized a certain individualism, and assured that he had no regrets.

A year ago, when PSG had already obtained the postponement of their match against Nantes between their two legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Aston Villa (3-1, 2-3), Ousmane Dembélé had admitted that he had been bored during that weekend without a match.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or winner didn't reiterate this at Stamford Bridge when discussing the extra rest ("I don't know if it changes anything"), and the French striker primarily adopted a cautious tone, despite PSG's three-goal lead after the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie (5-2) against Chelsea: "As I've said before, and as we've discussed, we have this mentality of always winning matches. We can't stay in our own penalty area to defend a lead. We're going to play our usual football."

"There were some matches where we could have passed the ball. But there were no arguments, we talked it out, and everything went well; we all push each other to be better."

The Parisian striker, in particular, didn't shy away from the question about his comments after the defeat in Rennes (1-3, February 13th), where he had uttered some fiery words ("We have to play for the club instead of thinking about ourselves") that had angered his coach, Luis Enrique. "I don't regret it at all," he stated. "That's the only way PSG can win. It was just a little something for the whole team. I think it paid off."

When asked if the Parisians were less individualistic at the moment, he softened his stance: "It's not the individualism that's the problem, but there have been some matches where we could have passed the ball. But there were no arguments, we talked things through, and everything went well; we all lift each other up. The coach mentioned this word, resilience. That's what characterizes our team. We have that will."

While this return to Stamford Bridge brings back memories of the difficult trips to Liverpool and Aston Villa last season, the French striker emphasizes: "We have to stay extremely focused against a quality team, a great club that has triumphed in Europe. We know there will be difficult moments where we'll have to suffer a bit, a bit like last season. We have to suffer in this competition to win it."

"In my discussions with the coach, it's true, I often repeated that I wanted to play when I wasn't at 100%, and that wasn't easy at times."

After addressing his contractual situation ("There's no reason why I wouldn't want to extend, but contract issues aren't my thing, it's between the club and my agent"), the Parisian looked back on this difficult season which saw him go through injuries and constantly fight to get back in shape.

“I know my body a little better now, and I took this whole period very calmly. I spoke with the coach and the staff, and they told me to take it easy. They weren't any major injuries, even though I did have one or two relapses. In my discussions with the coach, it's true, I often said that I wanted to play even when I wasn't at 100%, and that wasn't easy at times. But my health was more important, and I know I had to be at 100% to play, especially in this team where the game is very demanding, where I press, where I drop deep, where I really have to be at 100%.”

Having been decisive in every European round from the round of 16 onwards last season, Dembélé is eager to maintain his high standards: "I always want to be decisive, that's what motivates me in every match. That hasn't changed. I'm even more determined to win another title with PSG, especially since it's a special year with the World Cup. I've had quite a few setbacks, but the important moments are coming, and I need to show what I can do, too..."