DBasia.news – LaLiga defending champion FC Barcelona maintain their winning moments at the beginning of 2018/2019. Since winning 2-1 against Sevilla in the Spain Super Cup, Blaugrana came forward by two consecutive victories in LaLiga against Deportivo Alaves (3-0) and Real Valladolid (1-0).
The recent winning achieved at Jose Zorrilla, Valladolid’s home at LaLiga Jornada 2. The match was difficult for both Valladolid and Barcelona, especially the latter due to the not ideal pitch. Jose Zorilla just got the imitation grass two days before the match.
For Barcelona who emphasized ball strategy and short passings, the situation frustrated them. Their performance wasn’t good. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Philippe Coutinho disappeared in the match because they couldn’t show the magical touches as usual.
Fortunately, Barcelona have the 21-year-old striker Ousmane Dembele who is now enjoying his revival in the second round defending the club. Dembele became the winning hero of Barcelona by his clinical goal accepting the passing from Sergi Roberto. Like an oasis in the desert, Dembele refreshed Barcelona’s performance on the pitch.
Last season, the injury and long recovery made Dembele difficult to perform consistently in Barcelona. His injury also restrained Dembele’s adaptation process who just recruited from Borussia Dortmund worth 145 million euro. Consequently, there was an issue that Dembele will be loaned to another club during this summer transfer market.
However, Ernesto Valverde has a different plan for Dembele. Valverde tries to maximize the talent of 2018 World Cup’s winner in Barcelona’s 4-3-3 classic scheme. Dembele filled the former position of Neymar in the left attack of Barcelona, while the two other positions for Suarez and Messi.
The trio Barca might be known as DMS. However, Dembele’s performance isn’t perfect yet, especially for tracking back the opponent while defending. He often lets the opponent in his zone runs away approaching Barcelona’s defense.
“Evidence from Saturday evening’s match shows that the youngster has yet to perfect the art of tracking back when the Blaugrana don’t have possession, but he’s become far more decisive when he actually has the ball,” Marca wrote.
Dembele isn’t the perfect machine for Barcelona yet, but he is on the right track to utilize this season as the revival moment of his career. As long as he is not injured, Dembele can influence the world champion euphoria in Barcelona and turns into a success. Not only in LaLiga or Copa del Rey, but also Champions League as well.