PSG lost 1-2 to Bayern: Dembele's gamble fell apart after 25 minutes
Ousmane Dembele was given a starting spot despite having just returned from a hamstring injury, leaving the field in the 25th minute of PSG's 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich. Luis Enrique's decision immediately backfired, leaving a big problem on the right wing.
In the 25th minute, Ousmane Dembele limped off the field, bowing his head to make way for Lee Kang-in. On the scoreboard, Paris Saint-Germain eventually left the field with a 1-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage in the early morning of November 5. And Luis Enrique's gamble on Dembele - who had just recovered from a hamstring injury after nearly two months - collapsed after less than half an hour.
Luis Enrique's 25-minute gamble
Before the match, Luis Enrique insisted he would not take any risks with an unfit player, stressing that Dembele was “completely fit”. The reason for that choice was easy to understand: Dembele is an attacker capable of creating one-on-one breakthroughs on the right flank, opening up the possibility of stretching the opponent’s defensive structure and attacking in depth. But football does not please calculations. In the 25th minute, he left the field due to a recurrence of a hamstring problem, and PSG immediately lost their familiar breakthrough option on the wing.
Ironically, just seconds before he was down, Dembele had put the ball in the Bayern net after a fumble in the box. The joy was short-lived, but was cut short by the assistant referee’s offside flag. A goal was ruled out, and then an injury followed – a brutal sequence of moments for a player desperate to get his scoring touch back.
Warning signs have appeared from the Nice match.
According to the record after the victory over Nice last weekend, the TV camera caught Dembele holding his right thigh and whispering to his teammate: "My hamstring is hurting again." PSG chose to stay silent, the doctors closely monitored. But the night against Bayern, the fear became a reality.
The right-wing problem and moment dependence
Dembele has only scored three goals in nine games this season and has not had a real breakthrough in the last four. The qualities that make him different – his speed, his stepovers and his cutting inside – are held back by hamstring problems. When Dembele leaves, PSG have almost no alternative that can reproduce the same level of brilliance on the right flank. The problem of squad depth is therefore obvious.
The defeat to Bayern also highlighted PSG’s usual shortcomings: a reliance on individual moments rather than a well-functioning attacking model. The home side shot a lot but were ineffective – a sign that decision-making in the final third is still not guaranteed without a stable drill on the wing.
The pivotal moment, the blow to confidence
For a player as reliant on acceleration and change of direction as Dembele, the hamstring is a crucial area. Each relapse not only robs him of weeks of playing time but also saps confidence – an intangible but vital asset for a winger. From a shot ruled out for offside to a halting run before being laid down, the moments are enough to shake the spirit of anyone returning.
Impact on the Champions League group stage
The immediate consequences extend beyond the 90 minutes. As things stand, the defeat to Bayern Munich has left PSG in third place in their Champions League group. With a tight schedule, the lack of a reliable striker on the right wing will be a major risk to their chances of progressing.
What remains for Luis Enrique
The decision to start Dembele is a gamble on the pace ceiling, but also exposes the thin line between “medical readiness” and “match readiness”. PSG will need a clearer plan B on the right flank if Dembele is forced to miss a long period, while also improving the quality of their final game to reduce their reliance on individual moments.
Notable numbers
- Score: Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 Bayern Munich
- Ousmane Dembele left the field in the 25th minute, making way for Lee Kang-in
- A Dembele goal was ruled out for offside before he picked up the injury.
Dembele is still a player who can make the crowd hold their breath every time he touches the ball. But if his hamstrings continue to betray him, the light of hope will fade in his cautious steps on the touchline – and for PSG, every decision to use him will continue to be a gamble.
