PSG boss Luis Enrique bristles at Ousmane Dembele's 'worthless' assessment of Rennes defeat ahead of UEFA Champions League play-off against AS Monaco

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Defending UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain enter their play-off round first leg against fellow Ligue 1 opponents Monaco licking their wounds following defeat by Rennes at the weekend, which leaves them trailing Lens. Head coach Luis Enrique has given short shrift to Ousmane Dembele's open criticism. Watch AS Monaco v PSG live on TNT Sports 1 on Tuesday, kick-off 20:00 UK time.

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Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has stated that "no player is above the club" in response to what he claimed were "worthless" comments from Ousmane Dembele to the media.

PSG visit Monaco for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off round on Tuesday night, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. But they make the short trip south still smarting from relinquishing their position at the top of Ligue 1.

Enrique's side were beaten 3-1 away to Rennes on Friday night, allowing Lens to rise to the summit over the weekend. The defeat at Roazhon Park was the eighth time PSG have lost to their opponents since the Qatari takeover in 2011 - more than any other club.

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The setback, PSG's third league reverse this term, prompted Dembele to accuse his team-mates of being overly "individualistic" - comments that drew a forceful rebuttal from Enrique, who dismissed all post-match reactions as "worthless" and reiterated that "no player is above the club".

"The players' statements after the match are worthless. Absolutely worthless," Enrique said at Monday's press conference.

"[So] are the coaches' statements but the players' statements are worthless. I'm not going to answer any question from a player, any response from a player.

"I will never allow any player to be above the club. So, it's clear. I am the person responsible for the team.

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"I will not allow any player to think that he is more important than the club. Not me, not the sporting director, not the president.

"So these statements are worthless. They are the result of anger after a match, and I think that's clear. We have nothing to lose."

The defeat to Rennes was jarring. PSG had the opportunity to open a four-point lead at the summit but, despite monopolising possession, fell to a clinical and managerless opponent.

Musa Al-Taamari struck before the interval, Esteban Lepaul doubled the advantage after the break and, although Dembele reduced the deficit against his former club, Breel Embolo sealed a memorable victory.

PSG were comfortably beaten by Rennes

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What did Dembele say?

Following the setback against Rennes, Dembele - who won last year's Ballon d'Or after registering 35 goals and 14 assists - did not hold back in his assessment of his team-mates.

"We started the match very poorly," Dembele told Ligue 1+. "Rennes played a very good game, but I think we need to show more desire.

"Above all, we have to play for PSG in order to win matches. If we play as individuals on the pitch, it won't work, we won't win the titles we want.

"Last season, we put the club before everything else, before thinking about ourselves. We have to rediscover that, especially in these matches.

"We know we're in the second half of the season. And Paris Saint-Germain has to come first, not individual players."

Will Enrique's tough love yield more success?

Enrique has made a deliberate departure from the era of superstar indulgence that featured Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Early last season, Dembele himself was dropped for a Champions League trip to Arsenal on disciplinary grounds, a decision that underlined the Spaniard's resolve.

The approach yielded historic dividends but sustaining the success of 2025 has proven more complex. Injuries have disrupted rhythm, including for Dembele and Desire Doue, both sidelined twice this campaign.

Luis Enrique's tenure has been marked by a tougher, more collectivist culture

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L'Equipe have reported that Dembele is now a doubt for the trip to the principality - although he did train on Monday night at the Stade Louis II - while Fabian Ruiz and Senny Mayulu have been ruled out of the first leg.

PSG reached the last 16 last season with a 10-0 aggregate demolition of Brest but Monaco promise sterner resistance. They have already beaten PSG in Ligue 1 this season and have kept four clean sheets in their past six outings.

How to watch the UEFA Champions League play-off round

TNT Sports and discovery+ will be your home to watch all the UEFA Champions League play-off action on Wednesday, with three of the four matches on Tuesday also live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

You will be able to watch the matches individually or make use of the Multiview setting if you want to keep an eye on all the action each night.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

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