Ousmane Dembélé believes he showed the best of his ability to lead Paris Saint-Germain to the Champions League semi-finals.
Dembélé scored twice in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, sealing a 4-0 aggregate victory for Luis Enrique’s side, who next face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.
Last year’s Ballon d’Or winner has been involved in five goals in his last five away games in the Champions League against English teams (four goals, one assist), with Liverpool the first team he has scored against twice in a game.
He also finished with totals of shots (six), touches in the opposition area (eight) and chances created (two, the same as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia), helping European champions PSG reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the fifth time in the last seven seasons.
Dembélé has battled niggling injuries throughout this campaign but has still managed to record 24 goal involvements (16 goals, eight assists) in all competitions, although the Frenchman said his performance here was his best moment.
“We are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, in a stadium like this, we knew it was going to be difficult even if we won the first leg,” Dembélé told Canal+.
“There are no easy games in the Champions League, you have to suffer to go to the end.
“We had opportunities in the first half, where we controlled a little. It was a little more complicated in the second. We came out with two wins, which is very good.
“I have wanted to show my football for a long time, since last season. In every game I want to help the team, with a goal, an assist or putting pressure on the goalkeeper.
“I try to do my best for PSG. I hope to have a very good end to the season, there are important deadlines.”
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PSG had to work to win against Arne Slot’s team, who had improved greatly after their toothless performance at the Parc des Princes last week.
Liverpool had 21 shots, their most attempts without scoring in a Champions League match since their 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in the May 2022 final (24 shots).
The result also saw Liverpool fail to score in both legs of a European Cup/Champions League tie for the third time, after the 1978-79 first round against Nottingham Forest, and the 2005-06 round of 16 against Benfica.
However, Liverpool had their chances, especially when Milos Kerkez’s shot was brilliantly saved by Matvey Safonov, and Marquinhos made heroic defending to deny Virgil van Dijk the rebound. The Reds were also awarded a penalty, but it was later overturned following a VAR check.
“A save for a defender is better than a goal. It’s the kind of moment you enjoy it the most. My goalkeeper made a save and needs a second ball,” Marquinhos said.
“I turned around and saw Van Dijk coming, I simply had the reflex to jump on the ball and try to save. These are details that change a game.
“We were able to defend well. Liverpool used their weapons with long balls, corner kicks and physical play. We stayed strong.
“In the strong moments we have to take advantage and score goals, in the weak moments we have to be strong and not concede goals.
“That’s what we did, we have to continue. You can see the maturity of the team. Last year we went through all the moments in which we could gain experience.
“In away games is where we suffer. Today we were aware that the game was not over. We had to come and win, that is the mentality we needed.”
