Dembele nets on comeback as PSG demolish Leverkusen 7-2
Ousmane Dembele found the net shortly after his injury comeback as Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning champions, overwhelmed Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 in Tuesdays Champions League clash, with each side ending the match a player short.
The Ballon dOr recipient Dembele netted PSGs sixth goal merely three minutes into his second half substitution, marking his debut outing since a hamstring setback in early September.
Desire Doue claimed a pair of strikes, complemented by efforts from Willian Pacho, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, and Vitinha, all at Leverkusens BayArena, as the away team issued a bold statement to their continental competitors.
We are a squad that strives to conquer every competition. This term, we aim to repeat that success, PSG manager Luis Enrique remarked.
It will prove challenging, yet we carry the assurance from last seasons triumphs. We desire this trophy once more.
Aleix Garcia notched both tallies for the home outfit, while PSG defender Illia Zabarnyi received his marching orders on 37 minutes after fouling to concede the evenings second penalty.
Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich was also sent off moments prior for elbowing Doue in the face.
Leverkusen boss Kasper Hjulmand shared with Amazon Prime that his team unravelled in the seven minutes preceding the interval.
We stood even, but we overreached, he continued. We exposed ourselves excessively and committed numerous errors during that brief span.
We encountered the planets top side at present. They possess immense power.
PSG have endured injuries and uneven form this campaign, but after both squads dropped to ten players, they asserted control over their disorganised opponents.
PSGs pursuit of consecutive European crowns will encounter sterner challenges than this developing Leverkusen unit, which featured six newcomers in their starting lineup from the recent transfer window.
The Ligue 1 titleholders displayed their offensive depth paired with the resilience forged in last years triumphant run.
Dembele begins from the sidelines
PSGs buildup to the fixture received a lift with confirmation that Dembele and skipper Marquinhos were sufficiently recovered to travel to Germany.
The pair, pivotal to PSGs sweeping successes last term, observed from the reserves as PSG surged ahead within the opening seven minutes.
Mendes delivered a delivery beyond the Leverkusen backline for Pacho to nod home at the back stick.
Leverkusen earned a spot kick for Zabarnyis handball after 25 minutes, though Alejandro Grimaldo struck the upright with his attempt.
Doom seemed imminent for Leverkusen upon Andrichs foolish challenge on Doue at the 33 minute mark, reducing them to ten.
Yet relief arrived soon after as Zabarnyis display deteriorated further, conceding another penalty and earning ejection for clumsily upending Christian Kofane as the final defender, with Garcia converting from the mark.
Instead of consolidating, the dismissal spurred the Parisians, who responded with three strikes across eight minutes to daze the locals.
Doue struck twice around a Kvaratskhelia thunderbolt, leading 4-1 at the break in commanding fashion.
Mendes extended the advantage five minutes post restart, maintaining PSGs relentless pace.
Though Garcias 54th minute effort from distance offered Leverkusen a fleeting bright spot, PSG sealed the affair emphatically.
Dembele slotted from a narrow position, and Vitinha polished off the rout, capping a remarkable continental evening for the holders.