FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said Ousmane Dembele could go on to achieve “great things” after he scored a goal and set up three others in their 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.
The France international opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a towering header before providing assists for Sergi Roberto, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
Dembele has dealt with numerous injuries since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for a transfer fee of $103.41 million. He was out of contract at the end of the last season but signed a two-year deal in July to stay on.
“Football is about making decisions, and you’re either right or not, and Ousmane was right today (Sunday). He knows how to play the game,” Xavi told reporters.
“He’s a great winger when he’s close to the (sideline). Sometimes he performs well and sometimes he doesn’t, and today was a great day for him.
“He needs to try to be more consistent in every game. That’s why I pushed the club to re-sign him, because he’s capable of great things.”
Barcelona remain second in the standings on 28 points, three behind leaders Real Madrid and five clear of thirdplaced Atletico Madrid.
Forgettable return
Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde was returning to Camp Nou for the first time after having been sacked by Barcelona in January 2020.
The Basque side had a great start to the season, climbing to third in the standings at one point, but after four consecutive weeks without a win, they sit sixth on 18 points.
After his team got completely outclassed in their 3-1 loss at Real Madrid last week, Barca manager Xavi Hernandez said he was going to shake things up and he kept his word.
On Sunday, he changed from Barca’s usual 4-3-3 system to a 4-2-3-1 with Lewandowski as the target man upfront, giving Dembele the space and creative freedom to thrive.
The hosts scored three times in 10 minutes in the first half, starting with Dembele’s towering header from close range in the 12th minute.
The French forward then put Roberto through with some brilliant one touch build-up play in the 18th minute, with the Spanish full back’s strike bouncing in off a defender past a helpless Unai Simon.
Four minutes later, Dembele ran down the right channel before crossing to Lewandowski who swivelled and finished with a powerful shot.
Injury scare
After thumping Villarreal in midweek, Barca were well on their way to another victory. However, there was concern for midfielder Gavi who was in tears when substituted midway through the first half, having received a knock to his groin area.
The 18-year-old has become an important part of Xavi’s side and is also a key component of the Spain squad heading to the World Cup in Qatar next month.
“It looks like it’s not serious, it was a hard blow to the muscle, but we have to wait for the medical test,” Xavi told Movistar Plus.
Barca took their foot off the gas after the break but there was still time for Dembele to deliver another assist less than 20 minutes before the end, playing the ball in from the left touchline for Torres to score from close range.
The resounding victory came with a price though. Veteran defender Roberto has been ruled out for at least a month due to a dislocated shoulder.
Barcelona host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday before travelling to Valencia in La Liga on Saturday.
