PSG will have to prepare for Saturday, October 10’s clash against Le Mans without two of their key players. Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes have been granted several additional days of rest following a decision by Luis Enrique and the club’s sporting management. The move is expected to rule them out of the match, with a particularly demanding schedule approaching.
Luis Enrique is taking no chances. As Paris Saint-Germain prepare to return to action against Le Mans, two important members of the squad will not immediately resume team training. In an official statement released on Thursday, PSG confirmed that Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes had been granted extra rest following discussions between the coaching staff and sporting management. “In agreement with the coach and sporting management, Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes have been granted a period of rest. They will return to training on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, respectively,” the Parisian club explained.
Dembélé and Nuno Mendes Set to Miss PSG vs Le Mans
The announced return dates leave little doubt about their involvement in the upcoming fixture. Ousmane Dembélé will only resume training on Saturday, October 10, the same day PSG host Le Mans at 8:45 p.m. at the Parc des Princes. Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes is not scheduled to return until Sunday, October 11, the day after the match. Under these circumstances, their participation against Le Mans appears highly unlikely, although PSG have not officially ruled either player out. The good news, however, is that the club’s statement makes no mention of injuries. This is a workload management decision designed to give both internationals sufficient time to recover.
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The decision can also be explained by PSG’s demanding upcoming schedule. After facing Le Mans, the Parisians will travel to Manchester City on October 14 in the Champions League. Three days later, they will face Strasbourg in Ligue 1 before another major European showdown against FC Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on October 20. Three important matches in just seven days could have a significant impact on PSG’s season. Luis Enrique therefore appears determined to prioritize the physical condition of his key players rather than take unnecessary risks immediately after the international break.
For Dembélé and Nuno Mendes, the objective could now be to return in the best possible condition for the trip to Manchester City, although their availability for that match remains to be confirmed.
