Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League campaign took another hit on Tuesday night as they suffered a major setback in a crucial group-stage clash against Bayern Munich. A 1-0 deficit turned even more daunting in the 57th minute when Ousmane Dembélé was sent off, leaving PSG with just 10 men for the remainder of the match.
PSG entered the match under immense pressure, having struggled in the group stage with just four points from four matches. Earlier defeats to Arsenal and Atlético Madrid left Luis Enrique’s side in desperate need of a result to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
Bayern Munich, already leading 1-0, capitalized on PSG’s desperation as the French side pushed hard for an equalizer. However, a pivotal moment midway through the second half shifted the momentum firmly in favor of the home team.
The game’s defining moment came when Ousmane Dembélé received a second yellow card in the 57th minute for a challenge on Alphonso Davies. While replays showed Dembélé making contact with the ball before Davies went to ground, referee Istvan Kovacs deemed the follow-through dangerous enough to warrant a sending-off.
Dembélé’s reaction was immediate and passionate as he protested the decision, but his appeals fell on deaf ears. The red card left PSG a man down at a critical juncture, making an already uphill battle even steeper.
The dismissal was particularly frustrating given the circumstances of his first yellow card, which came in the 37th minute for dissent. His earlier verbal exchange with the referee ultimately compounded PSG’s woes, as it cost them a key player in a must-win game.
With Dembélé off the pitch, PSG’s attacking options were significantly diminished. Bayern Munich tightened their control over the game, using the numerical advantage to dictate play and deny PSG any meaningful chances to level the score.
The Frenchman’s search for his first Champions League goal of the season will now have to wait, as he is suspended for PSG’s upcoming match against Red Bull Salzburg.
Luis Enrique’s team now faces an uphill battle to progress in the Champions League. The defeat leaves PSG’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread, with their final group-stage fixtures becoming must-win scenarios.
For Dembélé, the red card will serve as a tough lesson in discipline, particularly given the preventable nature of his first yellow card. PSG will need the winger to bounce back strongly when he returns, as their European aspirations now depend on flawless performances moving forward.
PSG’s Champions League campaign has gone from bad to worse, with their latest setback highlighting both their struggles and the fine margins of elite European competition. With Bayern Munich cruising and PSG faltering, the Parisians must regroup quickly if they are to salvage their season on the European stage.