Dembele strike gives PSG edge

Ousmane Dembele's goal separates the sides so Arsenal will not stop believing.

- Dhiman Sarkar

KOLKATA: Against a team that is possibly the best in Europe now, Arsenal had their moments and, by Luis Enrique's admission, Paris St-Germain (PSG) needed a "titan" in goal. Equally, Arsenal will acknowledge that PSG could have trebled the margin and how polished they were in the opening 30 minutes of this Champions League semi-final.

So slick, so full of Parisian finesse was PSG that their supporters could light flares by the fourth minute. Dembele's shinned volley was the 26th touch by a PSG player, the most for the team in the Champions League since 2003-04.

When Khvicha Kvaratskhelia found Dembele, after the latter had easily motored down the middle, Fabian Ruiz, the only outfield player who did not touch the ball, made a run that occupied Arsenal's inner defence. That and Declan Rice leaving his position to help Jurrien Timber, given a tough time by Kvaratskhelia on the left, freed Dembele.

Dembele's goal against Liverpool had come from a similar build-up. Then it was Bradley Barcola on the right who had helped him. Dembele can drop deep leaving opponents guessing whether they should risk losing their shape in following him. Given the freedom to roam the pitch, Dembele ghosted into where his full backs would be, was part of the midfield double pivot and would drift inside to make space for overlapping runs.