Alarm in Paris! PSG's main star will miss the big clash against Lille
PSG will have to play the top fixture of the Ligue 1 round without their leader.
Details: Paris Saint-Germain have officially announced that Ousmane Dembélé has been given a period of rest and will not play the big game against Lille on Friday night. The club's statement reads: in agreement with the coach and sporting management, the forward will rest over the coming days and will return to training with the full squad on Monday.
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The reigning Ballon d'Or winner was substituted at half-time of the opening 2-2 draw against Rennes, where Ferran Torres replaced him and scored a brace. Some observers have already seen a hidden punishment in this decision, but the club insists it is purely about rest after a grueling year: Dembélé played the Club World Cup final, won his second consecutive Champions League, and then scored 6 goals for France at the World Cup, including a hat-trick against Norway.
Luis Enrique will now have to find a way to beat one of his principal rivals in the title race without his main attacking weapon. It's worth noting that Transfermarkt values the 29-year-old Dembélé at €100 million, and his contract with the Parisians runs until the summer of 2028.
Reminder: A double in 10 minutes! Ferran Torres saves PSG from defeat in debut match.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert