The French football player Ousmane Dembélé, forward for Paris Saint-Germain, stated on Friday that his club «has continued its path» after the departure of Kylian Mbappé and that «there is a before and after» without the current Real Madrid player in the Parisian team, which will face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday.
«I repeat it many times. Perhaps with Kylian Mbappé this season we would be even stronger, but we don’t know what could have happened. As I said, Mbappé had a dream in his career, which was to play for Real Madrid. Paris Saint-Germain has continued its path and there is a before and after, also for Kylian Mbappé. And, as I said, we have been fortunate. We focus on ourselves, on our team, and on the season we wanted to have,» Dembélé said at a press conference.
«I am very proud to be here in the final,» he said from Munich. «We have worked hard, and it has not been easy, especially at the beginning. But we have been able to change this dynamic, especially in the second half of the season. It is exceptional to be here in Munich for the final, it is a pleasure because you never know if you will experience moments like this again,» argued the former player, among others, of FC Barcelona.
In his current stage at PSG, his name is being mentioned as a possible candidate to win the Ballon d’Or. «As I have said in recent weeks, the most important thing, especially when you are a PSG player, is to win this Champions League. I am focused on the team and not on individual trophies. It can affect you a bit, but what I think about is the collective,» Dembélé responded regarding the award.
«I believe we need to control our emotions; we know there is a lot of excitement leading up to the final. We are excited ourselves, but as we have repeated throughout the week, we need to control those emotions with calmness, seriousness, and a smile because these are incredible moments. But yes, we need to control all those emotions, and I think it is one of the keys to the match,» added the ‘Mosquito.’
He then talked about facing former players from the Parisian team during the final. «I am happy to meet them, especially in the final. They have also had a very good week. As I said, Benjamin Pavard is a very good player, difficult to get past and also very intelligent. I hope tomorrow is not his day, but ours,» he pointed out.
Additionally, Dembélé admitted how he was approaching this title match. «I prepare for it calmly, with a lot of seriousness and concentration because these are moments I will not forget. I have to focus on the game and the team, not just on myself. And as I said, I prepare very well with the whole group. And I hope to have a great match,» he predicted.
He also predicted that the final «will be a match with a lot of tension.» «We have to control our emotions, especially since it is a Champions League final. We know all the excitement surrounding the match for the Parisian fans. But from the beginning of the week, we have to control our emotions and play our game,» he reiterated.
«The number ‘9’ is a key position that I have known since I started as a professional, and I adapt very well to it. I try to help the team, and then the coach gives me a lot of freedom to go left, right, go out, etc.,» he referred to coach Luis Enrique Martínez.
«I really like that, I try to create imbalance in the opponent and try to be intelligent in this position because it is a position where you can be behind, in front of the defenders, in front of the midfield, or behind, etc. You have to drive them a little crazy and move around,» Dembélé explained about his role at PSG.
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