Doue's Stunning Performance Rescues PSG After Dembele's Crushing Injury Against Monaco

Paris Saint-Germain secured an advantage to defend at home next week after mounting a comeback from a two-goal deficit against Monaco in the opening leg of their Champions League knockout playoff.

Two-part matches between familiar opponents can frequently be cautious and defensive, but Tuesday evening's clash was far from that description.

An explosive first half witnessed the underdog home team establish a 2–0 advantage through a double strike from USMNT forward Folarin Balogun, but the defending champions maintained composure, despite missing a penalty, to level the score before halftime.

Désiré Doué's swift substitution following Ousmane Dembélé's injury helped the away side shift momentum, as the replacement reduced PSG's disadvantage and contributed to Achraf Hakimi's leveling goal.

Aleksandr Golovin's dismissal for a dangerous tackle on Vitinha created one-sided play for nearly the entire second period, and PSG's relentless pressure paid off when Doué netted a second with his supposedly 'weaker' left foot.

Despite defensive vulnerabilities, the title holders will believe they have a significant advantage heading into the round of 16.

The Moment That Defined The Match

The Moment That Defined The Match

When PSG's 2025 Ballon d'Or recipient was substituted due to another injury, the visitors had disastrously trailed by two goals and squandered a clear opportunity to re-enter the match from the penalty spot.

Therefore, when Ousmane Dembélé departed before the 30-minute mark, it appeared to be a typical example of circumstances deteriorating for Luis Enrique's squad. This is, after all, a PSG team currently lacking the dynamic flair that characterized their previous season's achievements.

They sit second in Ligue 1 following Friday night's defeat at Rennes, and Dembélé suggested some individualism within the Parisian squad after the match. "If we perform as individuals on the field, it won't succeed, we won't capture the trophies we desire," he stated.

Some suggested Doué was the focus, though Enrique quickly dismissed any team discord. Four days later, Doué's entrance proved pivotal on what could have been a disastrous evening for the champions.

Two minutes after joining the action, Doué struck with a precise shot that ricocheted off the post and crossed the line. Phillip Köhn was helpless. Köhn managed to stop the Frenchman's sharp long-range attempt 12 minutes later, but Achraf Hakimi expertly converted the rebound.

Among the 11 matches PSG have failed to secure victory this season, Dembélé has featured for 30 minutes or fewer (or been absent entirely in some instances) in seven of them. Doué, by completing his double midway through the second half, helped Enrique's team overcome a worrying pattern.

PSG Player Ratings vs. Monaco (4-3-3)

PSG Player Ratings vs. Monaco (4-3-3)

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

GK: Matfey Safonov—6.1: Although the Russian goalkeeper couldn't have prevented PSG from falling 2–0 behind, Safonov doesn't appear to be a keeper who can rescue his team like Gianluigi Donnarumma occasionally did last season.

RB: Achraf Hakimi—8.6: The Moroccan's strike was excellently executed, and he again provided a dependable attacking threat down the right flank.

CB: Marquinhos (c)—7.1: The skipper rejoined the lineup on Tuesday evening, but was caught out of position for the opening goal, with his advance into midfield proving unsuccessful and creating a significant gap for his partner to fill.

CB: Willian Pacho—6.8: Pacho experienced significant difficulties early on. Failed to detect the threat in both Monaco scoring sequences.

LB: Nuno Mendes—7.5: It wasn't Mendes's forceful runs from deep that caused Monaco problems here, but rather his technical skill and positioning near the penalty area.

CM: Vitinha—7.6: Recovered from his penalty miss to deliver a characteristically composed midfield display, particularly after Monaco were reduced to ten men.

CM: Warren Zaïre-Emery—8.2: Hardworking and involved in all aspects, Zaïre-Emery set up Doué's decisive goal after entering the Monaco penalty area.

CM: João Neves—7.8: The energetic Portuguese posed a danger in the attacking third, and was especially effective when required to press aggressively.

RW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—7.5: Appears more dangerous from the left wing, but the Georgian managed to find central positions, and he should have netted a third before halftime after brilliantly cutting through the Monaco defense.

ST: Ousmané Dembélé—6.5: The Ballon d'Or winner was withdrawn due to injury after Monaco established a 2-0 lead before the half-hour mark.

LW: Bradley Barcola—7.9: The unpredictable Barcola consistently poses a threat, and his directness is a valuable weapon. He linked well with Doué, but his finishing continues to be problematic.

SUB: Désiré Doué (27' for Dembélé)—9.2: Match-winner. Doué's display provided a timely demonstration of his exceptional ability.

SUB: Lee Kang-in (69' for Kvaratskhelia)—6.6: A straightforward appearance, considering PSG dominated possession.

SUB: Gonçalo Ramos (82' for Barcola)—N/A

Subs not used: Lucas Chevalier (GK), Renato Marin (GK), Lucas Beraldo, Illia Zabarnyi, Lucas Hernández, Dro Fernández, Ibrahim Mbaye.

What the Ratings Tell Us

What the Ratings Tell Us

The Numbers That Explain PSG's Impressive Fightback

The Numbers That Explain PSG's Impressive Fightback