Ousmane Dembele has said that Paris Saint-Germain have benefited from the challenges they have faced this season, following a commanding victory over Liverpool FC to reach the Champions League semi-finals.
The French champions progressed with a 4-0 aggregate win in the quarter-finals, maintaining their defence of the title and setting up a potential semi-final clash against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
Dembele, who was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2025, played a decisive role in the tie. He scored both goals in the second leg at Anfield, securing qualification in front of Liverpool’s home crowd and marking PSG’s third consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of the competition.
A difficult test at Anfield
Reflecting on the match, Dembele acknowledged the difficulty of playing at Anfield, despite PSG having already established a strong position in the first leg.
“It was a tough match in the Champions League quarter-finals. Winning on such a difficult pitch confirms the value of the victory, and even after winning the first leg 2-0, we knew how difficult it would be to face us in England.”
The winger emphasised that success in Europe’s elite competition requires resilience, noting that adversity is often part of a winning campaign.
“In any case, there are no easy matches in the Champions League , and in such tournaments you have to suffer if you want to go far in order to win the title,”
Control, pressure and progression
Dembele highlighted PSG’s performance across both halves of the second leg, suggesting that while the team started strongly, the intensity of the contest increased as the match progressed.
“We had some clear chances during the first half, and I think we controlled the game at that time, but it became more complicated in the second half, and this is normal because we are in the Champions League , which only includes strong teams, but in the end we qualified with two wins, which is great.”
His comments underline the level of competition PSG have faced during their title defence, particularly after a previous season in which the club enjoyed success across multiple fronts under head coach Luis Enrique.
Personal form and team focus
The 28-year-old also addressed his own performances, stressing his commitment to contributing in different ways as the season reaches a decisive phase.
“I always want to help the team in every match, whether by scoring a goal, providing assists, or even by putting pressure on goalkeepers and defenders.”
Dembele’s contributions have been central to PSG’s European campaign, with his ability to influence matches proving crucial in high-pressure situations.
“I try to give my all for Paris Saint-Germain , and I hope things go perfectly so we can have a good end to the season, with many games still to play.”
Strong domestic position
Alongside their European ambitions, PSG remain in a strong position domestically. The club currently sit at the top of Ligue 1 with 63 points from 27 matches, maintaining an advantage over their closest challengers, RC Lens, who have 59 points from 28 games.
This dual pursuit of domestic and European success reflects the club’s broader ambitions as they seek to sustain their dominance.
PSG embrace adversity in pursuit of further glory
Paris Saint-Germain’s progression to the Champions League semi-finals highlights both their quality and resilience. For Dembele, the challenges faced along the way have only reinforced the team’s determination to succeed. As tougher tests await, PSG appear prepared to rely on both their experience and their ability to overcome adversity in pursuit of another European title.
