Winger admits complacency crept in during near-collapse, urges focus ahead of Champions League semi-final clash with Arsenal or Real Madrid
Ousmane Dembele delivered a frank assessment of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League scare against Aston Villa, admitting his side “completely switched off” during their dramatic 3-2 defeat at Villa Park that nearly cost them a semi-final place.
The French giants ultimately progressed 5-4 on aggregate but squandered a 2-0 lead on the night as Villa launched a stunning second-half fightback, leaving Dembele to acknowledge his team’s complacency.
“We thought we were better than we are,” the winger told Canal Plus. “At 2-1 we acted like the tie was already over. But this is the Champions League – teams with passionate crowds can turn games around. We made life really difficult for ourselves.”
PSG appeared in complete control after Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes extended their aggregate lead to 5-1 inside 30 minutes. But a deflected Youri Tielemans strike before halftime sparked Villa’s revival, with John McGinn and Ezri Konsa scoring twice in three frantic second-half minutes to bring the Birmingham crowd to a frenzy.
Dembele, part of a PSG side now through to back-to-back semi-finals, stressed the importance of learning from their mistakes ahead of facing either Arsenal or Real Madrid. The French international referenced PSG’s 2-0 group stage loss at Arsenal in October as a warning.
“This experience should teach us to play every minute of both legs,” he insisted. “There was joy in the dressing room, but to win this trophy we must be more demanding. For PSG and French football, reaching semi-finals matters – now we must push for the final.”
The 26-year-old’s comments highlight PSG’s ongoing battle with maturity in Europe’s elite competition, where moments of complacency have repeatedly undermined their quest for a maiden Champions League crown. As they await their semi-final opponents, Luis Enrique’s side know they can ill afford another lapse against either of the competition’s most decorated clubs.
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