Luis Enrique warns Dembélé after catastrophic first half at Rennes

PSG conceded two goals in the first half at Rennes on Sunday, and Luis Enrique responded by substituting his two star attackers at the break — including Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé — before issuing a public warning to the French forward after the match.

The evening had started badly for the Parisians. Sebastian Szymanski opened the scoring in the 9th minute, then Esteban Lepaul doubled the lead just before half-time to make it 2-0. PSG, unable to contain Rennes’ transitions, found themselves on the ropes at the interval, just a week after their defeat to Lens in the Trophée des champions.

“It was one of our strengths over the last three seasons. We were very attentive to that. It depends on the physical condition of the players. You have to be attentive to the positioning of the players. If you’re a bit distracted, you can have problems,” Luis Enrique acknowledged in his press conference. “Rennes’ attackers were dangerous and it was difficult to control.”

In an attempt to turn the situation around, the Spanish coach brought on two summer signings, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts, in place of Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia. Torres responded by scoring a brace on his PSG debut.

When asked about Dembélé’s performance, Luis Enrique did not spare his player. “That’s football. Paris Saint-Germain has won nothing, nothing. If you think about what you’ve won, you won’t win anything! There is no credit,” he said. “You have to show every day, every match, every training session, that you’re ready. Otherwise it’s easy to rest and slip. I wasn’t born that way. We’re always looking to win and to win all the time, you have to step out of your comfort zone. Is that clear?”

The message is unambiguous: Ballon d’Or status guarantees no leniency in the PSG dressing room.