Entering the game in the 72nd minute of play in the draw snatched by FC Barcelona on the lawn of Espanyol (2-2), Ousmane Dembélé made his big comeback in the Barcelona colors, a month after his last appearance in of the semi-final of the Spanish Supercup lost against Real Madrid and after a more than agitated winter transfer window about him.
“No solution was found with Dembélé. He is part of the club, he is part of the team and has a contract. We all met and decided he was part of the team. We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot. He is a good professional. It’s a club decision. We will use it when I see fit.”, Xavi recently explained regarding the situation of Ousmane Dembélé (24 years old). Clear and definitively respected remarks since Sunday evening since after having observed, from the bench, the convincing victory of his people against Atlético de Madrid (4-2), the number 7 of Barça this time took part. in the draw conceded against Espanyol (2-2) as part of the 24th day of La Liga. A contrasting start which nevertheless has the merit of ending the controversy and confirming the confidence granted by the Culés coach to the French international (27 caps, 4 goals)
And for good reason. Having become in a few weeks the public enemy number one of Barcelona supporters after having repeatedly refused to renew his contract with the Blaugranas, the one who will therefore be free as air next summer has, in the meantime, been able to taste the pleasure of the green rectangle. A comeback in particular made possible thanks to the support of his trainer who also recently asked for a bit of leniency concerning his protege: “I understand the position of the supporters, who may be hurt by Dembélé. We must close ranks and think of ourselves. It can help us achieve our goals. It doesn’t matter if we were wrong or not. The circumstances are what they are. We did what was best for the club and for the team.”. Controversy (almost) confirmed, how now judged the return of the former Rennais?
A timid but more than symbolic return for Ousmane Dembélé!
Coming off the bench to replace Jordi Alba at the dawn of the last quarter of an hour of play, Ousmane Dembélé thus logically came to place himself on the left side of the Barcelona attack at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat. Led when the native of Vernon came into play, Barça then took advantage of the good activity of their winger, multiplying overflows and crosses. Guilty of a certain technical waste (only one successful cross out of eight attempted), largely explainable by his lack of rhythm and this sulphurous month of January, Dembélé nevertheless forced Espanyol to be extra vigilant on the defensive level. Finally, it is of course a new center, the work of new recruit Adama Traoré, that Luuk De Jong allowed the Blaugranas to save the essentials after additional time.
An unexpected achievement which allows Barça to maintain its fourth place in La Liga and to point only four lengths from Betis, third. But beyond this goal scored by the Dutchman, the evening of the Blaugranas especially saw the return of his winger Ousmane Dembélé. A precious return for the band to Xavi who will have to be irreproachable in the coming weeks to hope to validate a place in the next Champions League and go, in the meantime, the furthest in the Europa League. In this quest, the Blaugranas also have an important first meeting, this Thursday at 6.45 p.m., against Naples. A round of 16 first leg and a possible new opportunity for Dembélé to shine in order to continue his redemption operation with Catalan supporters…
