Luis Enrique addressed his decision to leave out Ousmane Dembele in a recent press conference, clarifying the reasons behind the player’s exclusion. The PSG manager explained that the issue was not a personal conflict but rather a matter of professionalism and team responsibility.
Luis Enrique Clarifies Dembele’s Absence
PSG head coach Luis Enrique made it clear that Dembele will miss the Champions League match against Arsenal due to disciplinary reasons. PSG, fresh off a 1-0 victory over Girona, will face Arsenal in their second group-stage match. However, Dembele will not feature, a decision made solely by Enrique.
In the pre-match press conference, Luis Enrique addressed the situation, saying, “I’m not going to make a saga out of this. There was no argument between Dembele and me. That’s totally false.” He went on to explain, “The issue is with the player’s responsibility to the team, not with me personally.”
Focus on Responsibility and Team Commitment
Luis Enrique emphasized the importance of respecting team obligations, especially during a crucial week. “If someone does not respect or comply with the team’s obligations, they’re not ready to play,” he stated firmly. “With such an important match coming up, I need my players in the best condition.”
The coach expressed no hesitation about his decision, saying, “I had to leave Dembele out, but it was the best choice. I would make the same decision 100 times if needed. This doesn’t mean the situation is irreversible.”
Building a Brave and Daring Team
Since joining PSG, Luis Enrique has remained committed to building a strong, cohesive team. “I signed with PSG to create a team. I guarantee that I’ll keep building a team that plays brave and daring football until my last day here,” he said. “We aim to win every match, and I have full backing from the board, sporting director, president, and club in making these decisions.”
He also reassured that Dembele still has a future with PSG, despite the disciplinary action. “Ousmane Dembele is part of my team, in case anyone has any doubts.”
A Frustrated Luis Enrique Ends on Irony
As journalists continued to press about Dembele, Luis Enrique grew frustrated, answering the fourth consecutive question with sarcasm. “It seems like we’ve never lost when Dembele plays? No, we’ve lost to Newcastle, Milan, and Barca. Scary stuff, huh? Phewww,” he concluded, bringing an ironic end to the topic.
Luis Enrique’s clear stance on discipline and team values sends a strong message to his squad ahead of the crucial clash with Arsenal.
