Ousmane Dembelé remains a topic of conversation at FC Barcelona. After the 1:1 against SSC Napoli, coach Xavi spoke clearly – and not only about the Frenchman.
After the Europa League play-off first leg against Napoli, Barcelona scored 21:4. But the Catalans did not win. This was also due to the fact that they simply did not take their chances. “We created a lot of chances, six or seven serious ones,” FCB coach Xavi said, according to Marca. But only Ferran Torres took advantage of the opportunity, and that from the penalty spot. The result angered his coach accordingly.
Xavi was clear. “We should have won, even clearly.” He had seen an “excellent game” from his team, yes. But results are what counts. And with a view to the 1-1 against Napoli, the desired result was not achieved – “because there was a lack of taking the opportunities”. It made the former midfielder downright “angry to have missed so much”.
Despite a mixed performance: Ferran Torres “will still give us a lot of joy “
Ferran Torres was the first goal scorer to miss out on a top-class performance. But Xavi didn’t want to make too much of that. The FCB jersey weighs “a few kilos. But I am happy to have him in the team. He will bring us a lot of joy. He has scored goals all his life and will do the same here.
Xavi did not jump for joy. Nevertheless, there were positives: for example, winger Dembelé. The former Dortmund player, who is playing a role again at FC Barcelona after being demoted, had a good game after his substitution. Which is why Xavi even noticed something among the spectators. “The crowd didn’t listen to me, but in the end they applauded for Dembelé.” At first, the Frenchman had been booed, yes – but “the news is that the whistles turned into applause”.
