Dembele Warns PSG to remain attacking against Chelsea despite a strong aggregate lead in the Champions League last-16 tie

Forward Ousmane Dembélé has urged Paris Saint‑Germain to maintain an aggressive approach when they face Chelsea FC in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash on Tuesday.

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PSG head to Stamford Bridge with a commanding advantage after defeating Chelsea 5–2 in the first leg in Paris last week, leaving the English side with a difficult task to overturn the deficit.

Despite the comfortable lead, Dembélé insisted the French champions must avoid complacency and instead pursue another victory.

“As I said after the first leg, our mentality is to win. We cannot just remain defensive. We need to win,” the France international told reporters on Monday.

“We need to remain extremely focused. Chelsea is a high-quality team. They’ve won many matches in Europe. Our mentality will not change – we came here to win.”

The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner said PSG had learned valuable lessons from last season’s dramatic Champions League quarter-final against Aston Villa.

In that tie, PSG appeared to be cruising after establishing a commanding aggregate lead, only for Villa to mount a late comeback that created a tense finish.

“We may suffer a little bit,” Dembélé said. “It’s like last season, we won the Champions League but we also had difficult moments. We need to remain focused.

“We’re three goals ahead but our mentality has not changed. We’re not going to be a defensive team and wait. We’re going to play our game.”

PSG manager Luis Enrique echoed the forward’s warning, noting that the scare against Aston Villa serves as a reminder that the tie is not yet over.

“It’s a clear example of what a football match could become,” Enrique said. “We prepared the Villa match just like the Chelsea match, with the intention to win and score goals.

“It’s important to know how to control the match and control the pace. It’s our goal to win the match but we know we will have complicated moments.”

Enrique also downplayed the controversy surrounding Chelsea’s pre-match huddle during their recent match against Newcastle United, when players gathered in the centre circle before kick-off.

The incident drew criticism from some observers who viewed the gesture as disrespectful, but the PSG coach dismissed the issue.

“I was surprised when I saw it,” Enrique said. “But I heard Liam talk about it with maturity.

“We can see different things but if there is respect – and I think there is respect from Chelsea players and staff – there is no problem.”

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With a place in the Champions League quarter-finals within reach, PSG will be determined to maintain their attacking rhythm and avoid the kind of late drama that once threatened to derail their European ambitions.