Valverde: Dembele not ready to start

Ernesto Valverde admits Ousmane Dembele is still not ready to start for Barcelona ahead of Sunday’s clash with Levante in La Liga.

Dembele made a late cameo during Barca’s 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey midweek after four months out with a hamstring injury, but Valverde is keen to blood the winger back in slowly.

“Levante are doing better away from home than at home,” the Coach said at a Press conference.

“They’re a complicated team to beat. They’re very organised and leave few spaces behind, and that makes them a team that you can’t create too many chances against.

“Many people may think the match is already won, but we have a lot of respect for our opponents.

“Dembele? I’ve practically decided my XI. Everyone has a chance of being a starter, but in his case it’s a little more complicated because he still has to adapt to the rhythm of the team.

“Arnaiz? He’s a player with whom we’ll be counting on in certain matches, especially in the Copa. He has a chance of playing and he’s performing at a good level.

“He’s a little bit between the B team and first team, like Alena, and he’s a player who can help us.

“It’s good that we’re happy, but we must be focused on winning. We’re top of the League and we have points on those who are chasing us.

“Some call it euphoria and we want to keep going like this. There’s a lot at stake in each game.”

Tags Ernesto Valverde Ousmane Dembele
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