Barcelona Blog
Ousmane Dembele will not be at San Mamés to face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, nor for the La Liga Clasico on March 19th. The French winger, who is recovering from a rectus femoris injury in his left leg, really wants to return to the field, but doctors, as Marca confirmed, urge him to be careful and not take risks.
Everything indicates, however, that the France international will be available for Xavi in the second leg of El Clasico’s King’s Cup semi-final second leg on April 5.
Dembele is in good shape from his injury. The winger was poised to be included in the Athletic Bilbao squad, although he won’t be there to start.
Doctors stopped him and Barcelona refused his request a few days ago and he will not be in Bilbao this Sunday, just as they did in the past hours and convinced him that he should not take risks and that the best thing for his full recovery is that he does so. He will also not participate in the La Liga Clasico in the 26th round, which will be held on March 19.
On the other hand, the former Dortmund player will be fully rehabilitated for the cup match against Real Madrid. Xavi will be able to count on one of the most prominent players in his attack: due to his ability to go beyond the limits, and his ability in confrontations one-on-one. He has made 28 appearances this season, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists.
During Dembele’s absence, Xavi bets on Rafinha on the right wing and, above all, on Javi on the left. The coach can’t count on Lewandowski and Pedri these days either, due to injury.
Source: Marca
