The Asturian coach substituted the Ballon d’Or winner in the 65th minute, and the player responded by delivering a lesson in how to react: encouraging his teammates, applauding the fans, and greeting the manager.
Dembélé greeting Luis Enrique after being substituted. (Chris Brunskill)
One of the most telling images from the Champions League semifinal second leg between Bayern and PSG was the substitution of Ousmane Dembélé. The French star was taken off in the 65th minute and gave a masterclass in managing ego.
He had scored the goal that ultimately secured PSG’s place in the final, but his performance in the second half had dipped. And if Luis Enrique has made one thing clear — impossible to forget the video of the coach lecturing Mbappé about how the biggest star must set the best example — it’s that there should be no egos in a team. Ego is what starts to break a dressing room and eventually destroys a team project.
He wants none of that at his PSG. And yesterday he gave yet another example of his valued life philosophy. In the 65th minute, his star and reigning Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembélé, was no longer contributing effectively in defense, so he decided to substitute him. No hesitation. There was still plenty of the tie to play, but the team comes first. Far ahead of any individual, no matter how great and talented.
Brutal anger from Vini when being substituted… and he heads straight to the dressing room.
It was time to see Dembélé’s reaction. And the attacker gifted us another lesson by reacting perfectly. He left the pitch encouraging his teammates and applauding the support from the fans. Then he came off the field and also greeted Luis Enrique. He fully understood that the team needed fresh legs with Barcola to keep pressing in attack and, above all, in defense.
The face and reaction of Lamine when substituted in the 79th minute: something didn’t work.
A very telling image of what Luis Enrique is like as a coach. He doesn’t play favorites no matter how many Ballons d’Or someone might have or win. The team is always first. Something that is not always demonstrated. In our country we have examples of stars who refuse to be substituted. Such as Lamine Yamal or Vinicius, who on several occasions have shown their anger and discomfort when they have had to be replaced.