Just when Barcelona faithfuls thought that they were watching the best, fit version of Ousmane Dembele, the Frenchman picks up another injury, putting his future in jeopardy.
Football, like several other things in life, is dominated by uncertainties and inconsistencies, be it on-the-pitch performances, or injuries. Some players are the best in the world one day and the other they are on the transfer list. This uncertainty can make football beautiful or agonizing.
Sometimes, new signings take time to adapt, especially when a youngster makes the step-up to a superclub like Barcelona or Real Madrid. However, when and if these youngsters adapt, they become unstoppable forces that are ready to go through every team in the world.
Joao Félix is the best example when it comes to a young life becoming unstoppable after adapting. After a rough start to life in Madrid last season, Félix is now living up to his groundbreaking transfer fee.
At Barcelona, one player is enjoying a welcome renaissance. Ousmane Dembele, one of the priciest players in the world, seemed to be finally coming good at Camp Nou at the fourth time of asking. The Frenchman, after three years of relentless injuries, looks fitter and revitalised. So much so, that Ronald Koeman publicly stated that it was going to be difficult to drop him if he continues like this. Alas, he suffered a two-week setback on Sunday.
He was the best player for Barcelona against Ferecvaros in the Champions League. Skilful runs, altruistic game style and superb shots, Dembele terrified a defence that was not up to the competition’s standards. He finished the game with an assist and a goal, but the primitive stats do not do him justice.
The 23-year-old succeeded in five out of six dribbles, won six duels and completed 83% of his passes. All of that while other players, like Antoine Griezmann and Jordi Alba, helped him toward the win.
Dembele’s relationship with Alba on the pitch looked healthy on Wednesday. For the first goal of the game, the World Cup winner waited on the left, sliding the ball to Alba, which resulted in a quick interplay between the two, and before the Budapest outfit realised, the scoreline read 1-0.
A few minutes later, the story repeated itself. The skilful forward combined once with Alba when his chip landed directly on the diminutive defender’s foot, who released it for Dembele. He made no mistake with the cross, finding the poaching Martin Braithwaite to make it 2-0.
After that, the Barcelona attacker ran the show and got a goal to show for his plaudits. His team, as Oscar Mingueza said, had taken their foot off the gas pedal, but he did not want to stop, and if not for a bit of poor decision making in the final third, could have had a goal to
Culés were sure of one thing: Dembele, the real one, arrived in Barcelona. His fans could not be more ecstatic while his doubters are now second-guessing themselves. Continue reading