Ousmane Dembélé showcased his exceptional scoring ability once again as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) achieved a significant 3-0 victory over Brest in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie. The French international notched a brace, helping PSG take a commanding lead heading into the return leg next week.
The match, held at the Stade de Roudourou in Guingamp, began with Vitinha converting a penalty to put PSG on the scoreboard just before the 30-minute mark. Dembélé followed up just before halftime, finishing off a breakaway by cutting in from the right to score at the near post. He added another goal in the second half, bringing his total to 23 goals for the season, with an impressive 10 goals in his last four matches.
PSG came into the match as heavy favorites, and their dominance continued as they extended their unbeaten streak against Brest to 18 wins out of the last 19 encounters. The last time Brest defeated PSG was in January 1985, a stark reminder of the uphill battle they face.
Brest coach Eric Roy acknowledged the disappointment of the loss, expressing that the scoreline felt harsh despite PSG’s deserving victory. The team showed resilience, with forward Abdallah Sima coming close to equalizing on multiple occasions, hitting the post and having a goal disallowed for offside.
As they prepare for the second leg in Paris, Luis Enrique emphasized the importance of maintaining focus. “There is no chance we will treat the second leg like a training game,” he stated. Should PSG advance, they will face one of the historic clubs, either Liverpool or Barcelona, in the last 16.
Overall, PSG’s current form is promising, fueling hopes of a deep run in the competition. As the team gears up for the return leg, fans are optimistic about their chances of progressing further in the Champions League.