Valverde ‘really liked’ Dembele debut

Ernesto Valverde says he “really liked” Ousmane Dembele’s debut but insists “it wasn’t easy” against Espanyol, despite Barcelona’s 5-0 victory.

Dembele was introduced midway through the second half against Espanyol in Saturday’s Catalan derby and quickly caught the eye, bagging himself an assist for Barca’s fifth and final goal.

“Impressions? We pulled through a complicated game. These kinds of games are always tough,” the Coach said after the game.

“Despite the result, it wasn’t easy. They fought very well, but we have great players like Messi, who scored three goals, and Suarez, who gave everything like the rest of the team.

“Absences? We adapted to the players we have. There was Deulofeu, who came in from both flanks, Alba, who attacked down the left, and Messi, who went through the middle.

“Dembele? I really liked his debut, as I did Paulinho’s. The idea is that they’ll gradually adapt to the mechanisms of the team.”

Tags Catalan derby Ernesto Valverde Ousmane Dembele
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