‘Top 5 In The World’ – Alessandro Bastoni Reveals Dembele And Doue Verdict

Speaking to the media, Alessandro Bastoni admitted his dread ahead of facing the French attack once again. The Italian centre-back described his battle against Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué as the worst night of his life. Showing total honesty, the 27-year-old defender acknowledged how tough it remains to contain such profiles in one-on-one situations.

That nightmare dates back to the Champions League final played in May 2025 in Munich. On that evening, Paris Saint-Germain handed Inter Milan a resounding 5-0 thrashing to lift the European crown. The blistering pace and relentless movement of the two Parisian forwards completely dismantled the Italian backline.

Far from offering excuses, the 44-cap international made a point of praising the sheer quality of his tormentors. Alessandro Bastoni stated that Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and the young Désiré Doué currently rank among the top 5 players in the world. Such genuine praise underlines the truly global status achieved by the capital club's attacking dynamos.

Deprived of several key players like the injured Kylian Mbappé, the France national team relies on its Paris talents. Warren Zaïre-Emery, Ibrahima Konaté, William Saliba, and Jean-Philippe Mateta are also sidelined. Head coach Zinédine Zidane counts on the creativity and pace of his wing pairing to unlock the opposition backline at the Stade de France. Following consecutive 1-0 away victories in Turkey and Belgium, Les Bleus head into this fixture from a position of strength to cement their top spot.

For Roberto Mancini's side, missing Federico Chiesa and Leonardo Spinazzola, the tactical challenge looks immense. The Italian manager demands complete focus from his entire defensive block to restrict space across the pitch. Officiated by Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano, the match kicks off this Friday, October 2, 2026, at 8:45 PM local time on TF1. This Nations League clash promises a thrilling battle. PSG will watch their stars closely ahead of hosting Le Mans on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Parc des Princes.