Dembele challenges PSG to 'keep it up' after Leverkusen thumping
Paris Saint Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, making his return, urged his colleagues to maintain their momentum following a comprehensive 7-2 Champions League victory away at Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
The defending champions have secured three wins from their opening three matches, netting six of their seven goals despite playing with 10 players after Illia Zabarnyi received a red card towards the end of the first half.
Desire Doue, who earned man of the match in PSGs Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan in Munich back in May, enjoyed his trip back to Germany by finding the net twice before the break.
Ballon dOr recipient Dembele started on the substitutes bench due to fitness concerns but netted within three minutes of his introduction during the second half.
Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha also got on the scoresheet in this emphatic success for the Parisian outfit.
Featuring for the first time since lifting the Ballon dOr last month, Dembele noted that his team "could have prevented the red card", yet they "remained composed and found the net before half time, which benefited us greatly.
"We simply continued our efforts after the interval. Conceding seven goals matters, and we must sustain that level.
"With only half the season gone, we need to remain focused in both Europe and domestic competition."
The 28 year old explained he is "not yet at full fitness" and had hoped to feature in the recent league encounter, though "the manager advised patience for a little more time."
"Im gradually regaining my sharpness."
Georgian international Kvaratskhelia struck moments before half time in Germany.
"It feels great," he shared with Amazon Prime.
"Putting seven past the net brings joy, yet we recognise areas for enhancement and will address them.
"We were thrilled with the victory today. Netting seven against Leverkusen is no straightforward task, but we prevailed.
"This was our moment," he concluded.