Ousmane Dembele's Crucial Role in PSG's Champions League Push: How the French Forward Revolutionized the Club's Attacking Play

The 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League season was a pivotal moment in Paris Saint-Germain's history, and one player who played a significant role in the club's impressive run was Ousmane Dembele. The French forward, who joined PSG from Barcelona in 2017, brought a new level of skill and speed to the team, revolutionizing the club's attacking play and helping to propel them to the quarterfinals. In this article, we'll delve into Dembele's role in PSG's Champions League campaign and explore how he contributed to the team's success.

PSG's Champions League Journey

PSG entered the 2018-2019 Champions League as one of the top contenders in Group C, competing against Liverpool, Napoli, and Red Star Belgrade. The team, led by coach Thomas Tuchel, was looking to win its first Champions League title in French history. Despite some early struggles, PSG ultimately emerged as one of the top teams in the group, thanks in large part to Dembele's impressive performances.

Dembele's Contributions

Dembele was one of the key players in PSG's Champions League campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing 4 assists in 13 appearances. His pace, skill, and finishing ability made him a nightmare for opposing defenders, and he was often the go-to player for PSG's attack.

Speed and Agility

Dembele's speed and agility were instrumental in PSG's attacking play. He was able to beat defenders with ease, using his quick feet and agility to change direction quickly. This allowed him to create space and opportunities for himself and his teammates.

For example, in PSG's 3-2 win over Red Star Belgrade, Dembele used his speed to beat several defenders and score one of the goals.

Finishing Ability

Dembele's finishing ability was also a major factor in PSG's success. He had a knack for scoring important goals, often from tight angles and with his feet rather than his head.

For example, in PSG's 4-0 win over Napoli, Dembele scored a hat-trick, including two goals from long-range shots.

Creativity and Vision

Dembele was not just a prolific goal-scorer, but also a creative and vision player. He was able to pick out passes and create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

For example, in PSG's 2-1 win over Liverpool, Dembele provided an assist for Neymar's equalizing goal.

Pressure and Match Analysis

PSQF Quarterfinals: PSG vs Real Madrid

PSG faced Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, and the match was a highly anticipated encounter between two of the best teams in Europe. Dembele started the match, but his performance was cut short after just 12 minutes when he was sent off for a foul on Casemiro.

Despite Dembele's absence, PSG was able to hold their own against Real Madrid, with Edinson Cavani scoring the only goal of the match. However, the tie was ultimately won by Real Madrid, who took a 1-0 aggregate lead.

Semifinals: PSG vs Manchester United

PSG faced Manchester United in the semifinals, and the match was a highly competitive encounter. Dembele started the match, but his performance was again cut short after just 25 minutes when he was forced off with an injury.

Despite Dembele's absence, PSG was able to take a 1-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a goal from Marco Verratti. However, Manchester United equalized in the second half, and the match ultimately ended 1-1 after extra time.

Champions League Group Stage

PSG finished the group stage with 12 points, securing a first-place finish in Group C. Dembele played a crucial role in the team's success, scoring 5 goals and providing 1 assist in the group stage.

PSG's Main Counterattack

PSG's main counterattack was spearheaded by Dembele, who used his speed and agility to catch opposing teams off guard. This created a series of one-on-one situations, where Dembele was able to use his finishing ability to score goals.

For example, in PSG's 4-0 win over Red Star Belgrade, Dembele scored two goals from one-on-one situations, using his quick feet and agility to beat defenders.

PSG's Set Pieces

PSG also relied on set pieces to create scoring opportunities, and Dembele was a key player in this area. He scored one of PSG's goals from a corner kick, using his headers to create a scoring chance.

For example, in PSG's 2-1 win over Liverpool, Dembele scored the equalizing goal from a corner kick, using his timing and positioning to meet the ball.

PSG's Possession Football

PSG also employed a possession-based style of play, which allowed them to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities. Dembele played a key role in this area, using his speed and agility to create space and opportunities for himself and his teammates.

For example, in PSG's 3-2 win over Red Star Belgrade, Dembele used his speed to beat several defenders and create a scoring opportunity for Neymar.

Conclusion

Ousmane Dembele played a crucial role in PSG's Champions League campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing 4 assists in 13 appearances. His speed, agility, finishing ability, creativity, and vision made him a nightmare for opposing defenders, and he was often the go-to player for PSG's attack. While PSG ultimately fell short of winning the Champions League,