Ousmane Dembélé: Once upon a time at Roazhon Park

As Stade Rennais face Paris Saint-Germain tomorrow afternoon, we take a look at another era when Ousmane Dembélé made his breakthrough campaign at Roazhon Park in 2015-2016.

Ousmane Dembélé is currently one of the hottest prospects in Europe with Paris Saint-Germain. Currently top scoreur in Ligue 1 McDonald's with 18 goals in 22 matches this season with Les Rouges et Bleu, the Frenchman revisits familiar territory tomorrow as he travels to the capital of Brittany to face Stade Rennais. Before he was lighting up Europe's best stadia, Dembélé made his breakthrough season in 2015-2016 at Roazhon Park and quickly gained attention for his dazzling dribbling, speed, and ability to use both feet with ease.

Julien Stéphan, who coached Dembélé at Rennes' youth levels, has long admired his abilities. "I've always considered him a top player," said Stéphan in an interview with Ouest-France. "Even when his statistics weren’t as impactful at the start of this season with PSG, his influence on the game was undeniable. There are only two or three players in the world who can do what he does in his position."

A record-breaking breakthrough

Dembélé’s breakout moment came when he was finally given a chance in the first team under Philippe Montanier, making his senior debut on November 6, 2015, against Angers. He scored his first goal just weeks later, on November 22, in a draw against Bordeaux. His performances became increasingly electric, culminating in a hat-trick against Nantes on March 6, 2016, during a 4-1 derby victory. By the end of the season, Dembélé had registered 12 goals and 5 assists in 26 Ligue 1 McDonald's appearances.

His time at Rennes was a crucial step in his development. Benjamin André, who played alongside Dembélé during that season, recalls his immense potential: "From the moment he started playing, he was ultra-decisive. He was always joyful, a bit disconnected, but his finishing just needed a trigger. And once that happened, he became an extraordinary player."

That trigger may have finally arrived at Paris Saint-Germain, where Dembélé has scored 20 goals since December 15, 2024, leading Ligue 1’s scoring charts. In the Champions League the Frenchman has also provided inspiration for PSG, having netted six goals in nine games.

A trip to Brittany comes as a poignant reunion to a time when Dembélé was little known before embarking on a journey to the French capital via Jürgen Klopp's Dortmund and FC Barcelona.

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