PSG suffer fresh injury blow vs. Arsenal as Ousmane Dembele replacement option ruled out
Context:
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faces a challenging situation ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg match against Arsenal, as they deal with significant injury concerns. Lee Kang-in, who was expected to step in for Ousmane Dembele if needed, sustained an ankle injury, making his participation doubtful. With Dembele having previously limped off with a hamstring issue, PSG’s attacking options have become increasingly limited. However, there is a glimmer of hope as Dembele has returned to full training, raising optimism about his availability for the upcoming match. Despite these setbacks, manager Luis Enrique remains focused on PSG's goal of securing their first Champions League title, bolstered by Dembele's potential return to form after a minor injury setback.
Dive Deeper:
Lee Kang-in, a key player for PSG, has sustained an ankle injury, jeopardizing his availability for the UEFA Champions League semifinal against Arsenal, where he was expected to replace the injured Ousmane Dembele if necessary.
Dembele, who scored the crucial goal in the first leg against Arsenal, has been struggling with a hamstring injury, further straining PSG's attacking lineup.
The injury to Lee comes shortly after PSG's rare defeat in Ligue 1 to Strasbourg, highlighting a period of adversity for the team as they aim for their first-ever Champions League title.
Despite the injury concerns, Dembele's return to full training brings hope to PSG, as he has shown a strong recovery, enhancing the possibility of his participation in the decisive match against Arsenal.
Luis Enrique, PSG's manager, has been navigating these challenges, focusing on maintaining a competitive edge and overcoming injury setbacks to achieve their Champions League ambitions.
PSG are having a tough time before one of their biggest games of the season. Parisians, who are looking to win their first Champions League title, have been hit with another injury blow, just days before their Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal—this time to Lee Kang-in, the man most likely to step in for Ousmane Dembele if the winger isn’t fit in time.
According to L’Équipe, Lee, who has made 44 appearances for PSG this season across all competitions, picked up an ankle injury and remains a major doubt for Wednesday night’s clash against the Gunners.
The South Korean international has made 11 appearances in the Champions League this season and has been one of Luis Enrique’s go-to attacking options when rotating the frontline.
- This setback comes just days after PSG suffered only their second defeat of the season in League 1, losing to Strasbourg.
Presnel Kimpembe had already been ruled out weeks ago. Dembele, who scored the only goal at the Emirates to give PSG a 1-0 edge, limped off with a hamstring issue during that match, and Lee’s injury now shrinks PSG’s attacking options even further.
Though Dembele’s availability was in question, Lee’s injury has put the pressure on PSG's medical team, and Enrique’s game plan.
Ousmane Dembele has returned to training
In a piece of good news for PSG, L’Equipe reports that Ousmane Dembele returned to full training with the squad on Monday. He had started with gym work on Sunday before stepping up his recovery.The club is now increasingly optimistic that he’ll be available to start against Arsenal on Wednesday.
After the first leg, Luis Enrique downplayed the severity of the winger’s hamstring injury, and Dembele's smooth return to training suggests the problem was indeed minor.
His availability could be vital as PSG defend a narrow 1-0 lead in Paris.
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