Doue's sensational brace and pivotal plays propelled PSG to a comeback win, earning him a spot in the Champions League Team of the Week.
Paris Saint-Germain must get past Monaco in the Champions League playoffs to qualify for the round of 16. The first leg took place Tuesday night at the Stade Louis-II. After a catastrophic start to the match, PSG managed to turn the game around thanks to a Desire Doue in very good form, who was involved in all three goals, scoring a brace and having a shot saved that fell to Achraf Hakimi, who equalized.
This Thursday, UEFA unveiled the Team of the Week for the Champions League playoffs first leg. And in the latter, there is only one PSG player, Désire Doue.
At the end of the match, the Asturian coach did not skimp on praise for the player, highlighting his personality in the face of adversity. According to Luis Enrique, while many pointed to Doue's previous performance, the player proved to be a different and ambitious asset, capable of handling the pressure that comes with wearing the PSG jersey on European nights.
This performance not only secures his leading role given Dembele's absence, but also positions him as the second player in the club's history to score two or more goals coming off the bench in a Champions League match, equaling the feat achieved by Kylian Mbappe in 2019.
Also nominated for the title of best player of the Champions League playoffs first leg, the PSG No. 14 finished second in this honorary award, won by Anthony Gordon, author of a quadruple during Newcastle's rout at Qarabag (1-6), which gives him a 99.9% chance of qualifying for the round of 16 before the second leg at St James' Park next week.
The Champions League Team of the Week: Kobel (Borussia Dortmund) – Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund), Sanchez (Galatasaray), Burn (Newcastle), Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen) – Tzolis (Club Bruges), Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Sara (Galatasaray), Doue (PSG) – Hogh (Bodo/Glimt), Gordon (Newcastle).
Following the emotional boost from the victory in the first leg of the European playoffs, PSG faces a busy schedule of crucial commitments as it pursues aspirations on both fronts. Luis Enrique's team will return to action this Saturday, February 21, hosting Metz at the Parc des Princes, a vital duel to stay in the fight for the Ligue 1 lead, where they currently sit in second place after a recent stumble against Rennes.
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