Ousmane Dembélé To Miss Six Weeks After Muscle Injury

Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé will be out for six weeks due to a hamstring injury. He got hurt during France’s recent World Cup qualifier. This loss comes at a tough time for PSG, as they have many big games ahead.

WHAT HAPPENED TO DEMBÉLÉ?

Dembélé got injured after coming on as a substitute in France’s 2-0 win over Ukraine on Friday. He had to leave the game after less than 35 minutes, holding his right thigh in pain. Before the game, he already had some fitness issues and had only trained a little with the national team during the week. Reports say that PSG‘s staff had warned France’s medical team about his condition. France coach Didier Deschamps defended his choice to play him despite the risk of getting injured.

Now, the diagnosis shows a muscle problem that will keep him out for six weeks. This means he will miss several important matches for both PSG and France.

THE IMPACT ON PSG’S SEASON

PSG are currently first in Ligue 1 this season and are the defending champions in the Champions League. Dembélé started the league season well, with one goal and two assists in his first three matches. Reports confirm that he scored a total of 34 goals and provided 15 assists across all competitions this season, making his absence a significant blow to PSG’s attacking strategy. On September 17, PSG will begin their Champions League group stage at home against Atalanta. They face Barcelona at the Camp Nou in two weeks, which is a major fixture for Dembélé given his past with the Spanish team.

PSG’s squad depth will be tested, especially as the Champions League fixtures come every two to three weeks, and the club aims to maintain their lead at the top of Ligue 1.

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR PSG AND DEMBÉLÉ?

PSG’s next match in Ligue 1 is against Lens, who are in the top-half with six points from three matches, while PSG themselves are top of the league, level on points with Lyon. Their first Champions League opponent, Atalanta, finished 3rd in the Serie A last season. Dembélé’s injury means he will likely miss at least the first four Champions League group games and several Ligue 1 fixtures. He is expected to return by late October, just ahead of the crucial group stage clashes that will decide PSG’s European fate.