Ligue 1 is heating up, and Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance is no longer the annual formality it once seemed. Both Marseille and Lens have raised the league’s competitive bar, forcing Luis Enrique’s side to maintain an almost perfect pace to protect a lead that today sits at just two points. And with the European clash against Tottenham around the corner, all eyes inevitably turn to one name: Ousmane Dembélé.

The Frenchman, winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, returns to the squad after nearly three weeks out due to a calf issue. His comeback couldn’t be more timely, arriving just as PSG look to bounce back from their defeat to Bayern Munich, a stumble that halted their three-match winning run in the Champions League.

PSG Under Pressure: A Fragile Lead and Rivals Closing In

The domestic panorama offers no breathing room. Marseille sent a strong message with a 5-1 win over Nice, driven by a brace from Mason Greenwood and a solid showing from Argentine defender Leonardo Balerdi. With ten goals in twelve matches, the former Getafe striker has been the spark behind a side that already boasts nine wins in thirteen games.

Even so, neither Marseille nor Lens sit at the top. The lead remains with PSG, who beat Le Havre 3-0 thanks to goals from Kang-In Lee, Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola, though their performance showed inconsistencies that raise concerns ahead of their continental duel.

Monaco, meanwhile, have collapsed with three straight defeats and now sit ten points off the top. And while some fall, others rise: Lens earned their third win in a row with a 1-0 victory over Strasbourg, sealed by Ismaelo Gainou.

The Clash Against Tottenham: A Physical and Mental Test

The showdown with Tottenham comes loaded with recent history. The two sides faced off in last summer’s UEFA Super Cup, where PSG came back from 0-2 down to win 3-2. Now, the French champions look to avoid an unprecedented setback: losing consecutive home matches in the group stage.

The Spurs arrive undefeated, with wins over Villarreal and Copenhagen, and draws against Bodø/Glimt and Monaco. Their defensive solidity and ability to compete in tough environments make them a dangerous opponent.

In that context, Dembélé’s presence could be decisive. Even fresh off injury, his speed and ability to break lines bring an attacking edge the team clearly missed against Bayern. By contrast, Desire Doué and Achraf Hakimi remain out with long-term injuries, complicating squad rotation.

The official squad list, featuring names like Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Vitinha and Zaire-Emery, confirms PSG are going all in. But the real question is whether Dembélé is ready for more than a cameo.