Ousmane Dembele believes he showcased the very best of his skill to guide Paris Saint-Germain into the Champions League semi-finals.
Dembele scored twice in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, which sealed a 4-0 triumph on mixture for Luis Enrique’s aspect, who will face Bayern Munich or Actual Madrid subsequent.
Final yr’s Ballon d’Or winner has now been concerned in 5 targets in his final 5 Champions League away video games in opposition to English sides (4 targets, one help), with Liverpool the primary such workforce he has scored twice in a match in opposition to.
He additionally completed with team-high totals for photographs (six), touches within the opposition field (eight) and possibilities created (two, stage with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia), serving to European champions PSG attain the ultimate 4 of the competitors for the fifth time within the final seven seasons.
Dembele has struggled with niggling accidents all through the period of this marketing campaign however has nonetheless managed to register 24 aim involvements (16 targets, eight assists) in all competitions, although the Frenchman stated his efficiency right here was him at his greatest.
“We’re within the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in a stadium like this, we knew it was going to be tough even when we received within the first leg,” Dembele advised Canal+.
“There are not any simple matches within the Champions League, you must undergo to go all the way in which.
“We had possibilities within the first half, the place we managed a bit. It was a bit extra sophisticated within the second. We got here out with two wins, which is excellent.
“I’ve wished to point out my soccer for a very long time, since final season. Each recreation, I need to assist the workforce, with a aim or an help or urgent the goalkeeper.
“I attempt to give my greatest for PSG. I hope to have an excellent finish to the season, there are essential deadlines.”
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— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 14, 2026
PSG have been made to work for his or her win in opposition to Arne Slot’s aspect, who have been a lot improved after their toothless show on the Parc des Princes final week.
Liverpool had 21 photographs, their most makes an attempt with out scoring in a Champions League recreation since their 1-0 defeat to Actual Madrid within the remaining in Might 2022 (24 photographs).
The consequence additionally noticed Liverpool fail to attain in each legs of a European Cup/Champions League knockout stage tie for the third time, after the 1978-79 first spherical vs Nottingham Forest, and the 2005-06 spherical of 16 in opposition to Benfica.
Liverpool had their possibilities, although, most notably when Milos Kerkez’s shot was brilliantly saved by Matvey Safonov, with Marquinhos producing a heroic little bit of defending to disclaim Virgil van Dijk on the rebound. The Reds additionally had a penalty awarded, however then overturned after a VAR test.
“A save for a defender is best than a aim. It’s the type of second while you take pleasure in it essentially the most. My goalkeeper made a save and desires a second ball,” Marquinhos stated.
“I rotated, and I noticed Van Dijk coming, I simply had the reflex to throw myself on the ball and attempt to save. These are particulars that change a match.
“We have been capable of defend effectively. Liverpool used their weapons with lengthy balls, corners, bodily play. We remained sturdy.
“Within the sturdy moments, you must make the most of it and rating targets. In weak moments, we have now to be sturdy and never concede a aim.
“That’s what we did, we have now to proceed. You may see the maturity of the workforce. Final yr, we went by means of all of the moments the place we may achieve expertise.
“Away video games are the place we undergo. Immediately, we have been conscious that the match was not over. We needed to come to win, that’s the mentality we wanted.”
