Lionel Messi affirms Barcelona ‘love’ Ousmane Dembele, who is ‘important’ for the club, after Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Espanyol.
“We came out very strongly to dominate the match from the start,” the No 10, who scored two free kicks at Cornella El-Prat, said after the Derbi.
“We kept the ball, we knew how to take it from our opponents and without the ball, they suffered.
“They pressed high, but we were better than them at all times. We all got stuck in and were plugged in.
“We knew what kind of team we were facing and how complicated it’d be, at this stadium with their fans.
“They have a great Coach and although they’re not in a great run of form at the moment, they’re doing very well.
“With my free kicks, I try to follow a ritual and always try to repeat it when it goes well. I was right on both occasions.
“Sometimes it doesn’t come off and sometimes it does. I’m happy to have scored, but what matters to me is that the team win.
“I didn’t think about a hat-trick of free kicks. What’s important to me is that we stay ahead of our rivals Sevilla and Atletico.
“Dembele is very good and important for us. We love him to the fullest. The objective is to keep picking up points and keep growing.”
