### Ousmane Dembélé's Return: A Boost for PSG Ahead of Champions League Clash with Tottenham - Ousmane Dembélé, the recent Ballon d'Or winner, has been included in Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) squad for their upcoming Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur. This marks his return after a calf injury that sidelined him since November 4, when he was forced to leave the pitch during a match against Bayern Munich. Dembélé's return is crucial for PSG, who are currently facing a challenging season with multiple injuries affecting their squad, including the absence of key players like Achraf Hakimi and Désiré Doué [https://apnews.com/article/psg-dembele-tottenham-champions-league-0c9b171669d4a12f98ef0fc31287159a]. ### Breakdown of Dembélé's Situation and PSG's Challenges 1. **Injury History**: - Dembélé has struggled with injuries this season, having previously missed games due to a right hamstring injury sustained while playing for France in September. His last appearance before the calf injury was a mere 25 minutes against Bayern Munich [https://www.thescore.com/fra_fed/news/3409277/psgs-dembele-could-return-to-face-spurs-after-latest-injury-layoff]. 2. **Current Squad Status**: - PSG is dealing with significant injury issues, with Dembélé's return providing a much-needed boost. However, they will still be without Achraf Hakimi, who has a sprained ankle, and Désiré Doué, who is also sidelined [https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/news/psg-handed-huge-injury-boost-32942208]. 3. **Upcoming Match Context**: - The match against Tottenham is critical for PSG, who currently sit seventh in the league phase of the Champions League. They previously faced Tottenham in the UEFA Super Cup, winning on penalties after a dramatic comeback [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/uefa-champions-league-ballon-dor-winner-dembl-returns-to-psg-squad-after-calf-injury-1919747]. ### Supporting Evidence of Dembélé's Impact and PSG's Standing - **Dembélé's Performance**: - Dembélé's presence is vital for PSG, as he was instrumental in their previous successes, including winning the Ballon d'Or for his outstanding performances last season. His ability to change the game is well recognized, making his return a significant factor for PSG's strategy against Tottenham [https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-champions-league-dembele-could-make-psg-return-in-champions-league-clash-against-tottenham/MFr7vCIG]. - **PSG's Current Standing**: - As of now, PSG is fifth in the Champions League standings with nine points, while Tottenham trails closely behind in tenth place. The top eight teams will advance directly to the knockout stage, making this match crucial for both teams [https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/november/psg-team-news-ousmane-demebele-could-return-desire-doue-and-achraf-hakimi-remain-sidelined]. ### Conclusion: Dembélé's Return Could Be a Game-Changer for PSG - **Key Takeaways**: 1. **Dembélé's Return**: His inclusion in the squad is a significant boost for PSG, who have struggled with injuries this season. 2. **Injury Challenges**: Despite Dembélé's return, PSG will still be without other key players, which could impact their performance. 3. **Match Importance**: The upcoming match against Tottenham is critical for PSG's Champions League aspirations, and Dembélé's performance could be pivotal. In summary, Ousmane Dembélé's return to the PSG squad is a promising development as they prepare to face Tottenham in a crucial Champions League match. His ability to influence the game could be the key to PSG's success, despite the ongoing injury challenges within the team [https://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/psg-dembele-tottenham-champions-league-i94764].