Ousmane Dembele is anticipated to spend six weeks on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury he sustained while playing for the French national team, as reported by journalist Fabrice Hawkins. This unfortunate incident occurred during France’s recent 2-0 victory over Ukraine in a World Cup qualifying match, raising significant concerns about his fitness and availability for both club and country.
In the second half of the match, Dembele was brought in as a substitute to take over for his Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) teammate, Desire Doue. Unfortunately, his comeback was abruptly interrupted; he managed to stay on the pitch for less than 35 minutes before he had to leave, visibly in pain and clutching the back of his right thigh. This has reignited discussions about his injury-prone nature and the challenges he has faced managing his health throughout his career.
This injury marks yet another instance in which Dembele has struggled with fitness during his time with the national squad. He previously faced a setback in his last appearance during the Nations League semi-final against Spain, which had already forced him to miss the kickoff of the Club World Cup. Such recurring issues have raised questions regarding the larger implications for both his playing career and the workload expected from players during international breaks.
Adding to the unrest, PSG has expressed serious frustration and disappointment with the French national team. The club had previously alerted the medical staff of the French squad that Dembele was exhibiting signs of fatigue and was at a heightened risk for injury, thereby recommending caution regarding his game-time. Nevertheless, Didier Deschamps, the head coach of France, opted to include him in the match, insisting that Dembele was fit and ready to compete.
The timing of Dembele’s injury is particularly harmful for PSG as they gear up to defend their Champions League title, with their first match of the group stage scheduled for September 17 against Atalanta. This match represents a critical opportunity for the team to assert themselves in European competition. Following this, they will be facing a formidable opponent in Barcelona, which amplifies the stakes for the Parisians, who will desperately need their attacking options to perform well in the absence of their star winger.
On top of these pivotal European matches, PSG also has high-stakes league encounters against fierce rivals Marseille and Lille that are looming on the calendar. These fixtures are crucial for maintaining competitiveness in Ligue 1, and the team must navigate these games without Dembele’s contributions. Furthermore, they will also be missing Desire Doue briefly; however, he is expected to make a return soon, potentially before the month wraps up, which could provide some much-needed depth to the squad.
The ongoing situation with Dembele highlights the broader challenges faced by clubs in balancing player welfare against the demands of international fixtures. PSG’s management and coaching staff will be closely monitoring his recovery process, hoping for swift improvement so that he can return to full fitness and contribute effectively as the team dives deeper into a busy and crucial part of the season. As Dembele looks to bounce back, all eyes will remain on him and how he can regain his form and fitness to support his team through an intensive series of matches.
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