Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde admits Ousmane Dembele will all-but-miss the Clasico next weekend. “The idea remains that he’ll play again in January.”
“I have the feeling that our opponents are in a good way at the moment,” he said at a Press conference.
“You never know how these games go and ultimately, the points are worth the same against Deportivo as against Madrid.
“Our objective is to win this game. We’re not thinking about next week’s one. Mascherano? He’s with us and I haven’t thought about a substitute for him.
“Dembele? He’s fine, he’s been doing things with the group, although he hasn’t done a complete training session yet.
“He’ll do more work next week, but the idea remains that he’ll play again in January. Rafinha? He’s started doing things, but he’s still not 100 percent.
“Club World Cup? I don’t know how much it’ll take its toll on Madrid. Any game can take its toll on you.
“I don’t want to play down the trophy, but I’d prefer to win a Champions League or a League title.
“Regardless of whether you play at home or away, every match always has its complications.
“That’s why you have to prepare for each match and give yourself the best chance of winning.
“We’re going to fight to win the last two games of the year. Champions League? I don’t know who’ll win it, but whoever does will be because they have the squad for it and hopefully it’ll be us.”
