Luis Enrique Hails Ousmane Dembele as PSG Begin Champions League Defence With 6-1 Rout

Posted : 10 September 2026

Paris Saint-Germain made a powerful start to their Champions League title defence as they swept aside Slovan Bratislava 6-1 at the Parc des Princes, with Ousmane Dembele starring in a dominant attacking display.

Dembele scored twice inside the opening 23 minutes before setting up Ferran Torres, who marked his Champions League debut for PSG with a hat-trick. Fabian Ruiz completed the rout late in the match, while Suleiman Camara scored Slovan's only goal.

Luis Enrique was delighted with Dembele's contribution, praising the Ballon d'Or winner for combining his attacking quality with an impressive work rate. The PSG coach said it was a pleasure to see the French forward operating at the level he has shown over the past three years.

Dembele had been carefully managed during the opening weeks of the season as he continued to build his fitness following the World Cup. His performance against Slovan, however, suggested that the forward is rapidly returning to his best.

The French champions were able to produce such a commanding display despite leaving Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue on the substitutes' bench. Enrique also suggested that Kvaratskhelia has the ability to challenge for the Ballon d'Or in the future, alongside Dembele and other PSG stars.

Torres was another major highlight on the night. The Spain international scored three times, including twice after the interval, to make an immediate impact following his move to Paris. PSG's official match report confirmed that Torres was named UEFA's player of the match after his hat-trick.

The result gives PSG an ideal beginning to their attempt to become the first club since Real Madrid to win three consecutive Champions League titles. Their latest victory also came after a difficult opening to the domestic season, making the emphatic European performance particularly encouraging.

Slovan coach Yaya Toure accepted that his side faced a huge challenge against the reigning European champions. The former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder nevertheless praised his players for trying to compete and said the experience would help them understand what is required to challenge Europe's elite.

Toure also joked that Dembele appeared to be operating at "200 per cent" on the night after the French forward had struggled to reach his best level in recent matches.

Luis Enrique Hails Ousmane Dembele as PSG Begin Champions League Defence With 6-1 Rout

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