Ousmane Dembélé laughed that he might request more holidays after his standout performance in Paris Saint‑Germain’s 4‑2 Champions League victory over Manchester City. The Ballon d’Or winner netted once and set up another goal, proving his sharpness after a brief rest from the international break. Speaking to Canal Plus, Dembélé said he had just returned from a holiday and enjoyed playing on Tuesday and Wednesday, hinting that he could ask for more time off until March, though the final decision would rest with coach Luis Enrique.
The French international had been rested by Enrique after the break, missing Saturday’s Ligue 1 match against Le Mans. Dembélé’s return against City was a reminder of why he is a key figure for PSG, especially after the club’s recent strategy of rotating players against lower‑profile Ligue 1 opponents. Enrique has also omitted left‑back Nuno Mendes from the Le Mans lineup and left Dembélé out of a game against Lille earlier in the season, a move that sparked debate when the league awarded him last season’s best‑player trophy despite only nine starts.
City’s coach Enzo Maresca praised PSG’s ability to manage squad rotation, noting that the French side can afford to rest players before Champions League fixtures, unlike Premier League teams that often have tighter schedules. Maresca added that PSG’s luxury of rotating players was highlighted when the league allowed the club to postpone a match against Lens to better prepare for a quarter‑final against Liverpool, a decision some viewed as preferential.
Despite the tactical juggling, PSG remain in sixth place after six Ligue 1 rounds, with Dembélé still awaiting his first goal in the domestic league this season. The club’s Champions League campaign is in its early stages, and Dembélé acknowledged that PSG’s concentration dipped in the second half of the City match, a lapse he said would cost them against a top‑class side. He stressed the importance of staying focused in the first half of the season as they prepare for the next high‑profile game against Barcelona, where Luis Enrique may again choose to rest key players.
Looking ahead, PSG have a Ligue 1 trip to Strasbourg on Saturday before hosting Barcelona on Tuesday, with the possibility of further rotation from Enrique. Dembélé’s comments suggest that while he enjoys the rhythm of playing after a break, the club’s managerial decisions will ultimately shape his availability for upcoming fixtures.