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Barcelona leave out Dembélé for first leg of Copa Clásico

By Chiranjib Ghosh

11 Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona during the Spanish championship La Liga football match between FC Barcelona and CD Leganes on 20 of January 2019 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
11 Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona during the Spanish championship La Liga football match between FC Barcelona and CD Leganes on 20 of January 2019 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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Barcelona will not have Ousmane Dembélé for the first leg of Copa Clásico

Ousmane Dembélé has returned from injury, and even trained with the rest of the squad in the run-up to the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Madrid. But he has been left out of the final matchday squad for the important tie at the Camp Nou.

This is a surprising decision from Ernesto Valverde. Barcelona are playing it safe on their home turf in a cup game where away goals are of the utmost importance. The best possible lineup should be fielded at home, and the away leg is the one where compromises can be made.

If Valverde decides not to risk Lionel Messi for the first leg, there will be no alternative other than the inexperienced Malcom. The Basque coach’s decision ensures Dembélé’s involvement in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu but not Messi’s.

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Leo Messi strained his thigh in the 2-2 draw with Valencia in the La Liga, but returned to the pitch after receiving treatment on the touchline for a dead leg. Valverde would have made the more prudent call by fielding Dembélé, and giving a rest to Messi.

The young French forward was absolutely brilliant in his display of skill in the 3-1 victory over Leganés. But more importantly, he excelled on the right wing in that game before being taken off with an ankle injury, where he would have starred if Messi had been rested in the Clásico.

Among the squad named by Valverde, one player will be axed for the final matchday squad. That would probably be Jeison Murillo or Kevin-Prince Boateng. The centre-back spot would have depth with Thomas Vermaelen in the squad, and Luis Suárez isn’t likely to be substituted.

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But instead of having Boateng in the matchday squad, Valverde should have included Dembélé in the matchday squad.