Tension is rising in Paris as the clash against Bayern Munich approaches. And if PSG’s preparation seemed perfectly mastered, a declaration from Germany suddenly shook the football world. A former Ballon d’Or spoke out about the upcoming confrontation and did not hesitate to deliver an analysis that risks irritating French supporters – and perhaps Dembélé himself.
Lothar Matthäus salutes Kane, but downplays Dembélé
It was Lothar Matthäus who revived the debates. In his column for Sky Sportsthe Bayern legend said Paris does not have a player capable of making a difference like Harry Kane. According to him, PSG did not “neither Kane, nor Kimmich, nor Neuer”. A sentence loaded with meaning, all the more provocative as it implicitly places Dembélé, very recent Ballon d’Or, below the English striker. A comparison that is audacious to say the least, tinged with Bavarian chauvinism.
Matthäus also relied on Bayern’s impressive momentum under Vincent Kompany: fifteen victories in fifteen matches in all competitions. He describes a “well-oiled machine”, while Paris, despite its European title, has according to him “already shown signs of vulnerability”. The message is clear: Bayern are favorites. For many, this analysis is above all that of a former captain defending the colors of his favorite club.
The expected response on the ground
The praise of Kane, combined with the implicit withdrawal of Dembélé, sounds like a provocation before this European shock. Matthäus, 1990 world champion, believes that “the collective takes precedence over individual talent”. Words which, obviously, will not fail to motivate the Parisian locker room.
This Tuesday evening, Ousmane Dembélé’s response could come from the Parc des Princes itself. Returning from an injury, the Frenchman will have the opportunity to remind us that talent is not only measured by statistical coldness. Facing Kane and Bayern, he now has an additional challenge: to silence a German legend with lightning strikes on the pitch.
