Paris Saint-Germain Faces Atlético Madrid Without Star Player Ousmane Dembélé
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faced a challenge in their Club World Cup opener against Atlético Madrid, held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Notably, PSG star Ousmane Dembélé was missing from the starting lineup. Dembélé, who had an exceptional season with the Champions League winners, was also not listed among the substitutes for the match. This absence comes after PSG’s impressive 5-0 victory against Inter Milan two weeks prior, which earned them their first Champions League title.
Dembélé, at 28 years old, is considered a strong contender for the coveted Ballon d’Or due to his outstanding performance during the season, where he scored 33 goals and provided 15 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions. However, he reportedly sustained an injury to his left quadriceps while playing for the French national team against Spain earlier this month on June 6. This injury might have contributed to his absence from the critical match.
In place of Dembélé, Portuguese striker Gonçalo Ramos was brought into the starting lineup by PSG’s coach, Luis Enrique. Aside from this change, Enrique maintained the same lineup that led the team to a resounding victory over Inter in Munich on May 31. PSG’s strategy had evidently paid off in the Champions League, and they hoped to replicate that success in the Club World Cup.
PSG’s Group in the Club World Cup includes Brazil’s Botafogo and Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders, alongside Atlético Madrid. As the competition unfolds, the team aims to overcome their present challenges and continue showcasing their strength on the global stage without their key player, Dembélé.