Luis Enrique: Every Coach Should Show How Dembele Defends

PSG boss hails Dembele’s work rate before Arsenal final

Luis Enrique expects a fully fit Ousmane Dembele to lead PSG’s press in the Champions League final, highlighting the forward’s growth since last year’s title win

Ousmane Dembele has become central to PSG’s Champions League run with his defensive intensity, as Luis Enrique prepares his side to face Arsenal...

Luis Enrique praised Ousmane Dembele’s defensive effort ahead of PSG’s Champions League final against Arsenal next week. The PSG coach said the France forward has become a model for coaches because of the intensity he shows off the ball.

“That’s Ousmane’s mentality,” Luis Enrique told reporters on Wednesday. “Every coach should show how he defends.”

Dembele has become a key example of Luis Enrique’s PSG rebuild. The Spaniard expects even his most talented attackers to contribute nonstop to the team’s pressing.

“We always tend to highlight what forwards do in attack but never what they do defensively. Ousmane always shows his individual quality on the ball and his ability to perform without the ball.”

From dribbler to pressing star, Dembele’s evolution under Luis Enrique.

That change was clearest during last year’s Champions League final against Inter Milan.

Television cameras caught Dembele staring down Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer before sprinting forward to start PSG’s press. That moment captured the aggression and discipline Luis Enrique demands from his forwards.

PSG went on to beat Inter 5-0 and claim the club’s first Champions League title. Dembele’s work rate was just as important as his attacking play in setting the tone.

The French forward heads into this year’s final after another strong European campaign. He has developed from a player known mainly for instinctive dribbling into one of the most complete attackers in Luis Enrique’s system.

Dembele has been managing a sore calf since Ligue 1 ended last weekend. However, Luis Enrique expects a full-strength squad for the final, with fullback Achraf Hakimi also back in training.

Today's medical update is on Ousmane Dembélé.@Aspetar

🔗 https://t.co/aDDAIBdT6h pic.twitter.com/tli2BjCSlO

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 18, 2026