BARCELONA (AFP) - Barcelona will make a late decision on the fitness of Ousmane Dembele ahead of their Champions League second leg against Lyon, coach Ernesto Valverde said on Tuesday (March 12).
Dembele sustained a minor hamstring strain against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and is a doubt for the game at the Camp Nou, where Lyon arrive after a 0-0 draw in the first leg.
"We will see how he is and make a decision later," Valverde said.
"It is an important match but we cannot take any risks. If he isn't fit, he will have to wait for the next opportunity," he added.
Dembele's absence could mean a start for Philippe Coutinho, who has struggled in recent weeks and was whistled off by a minority of Barcelona fans when substituted last weekend.
Signed for €160 million (S$244 million) from Liverpool just over a year ago, Coutinho has started 16 of Barcelona's 27 La Liga games this season.
Asked if he had spoken to the Brazilian about his form, Valverde said: "The way we handle the players is a private matter. What we want is for them to give us their best and we expect a lot from him."
The pressure is on Coutinho, and Barca, to deliver against Lyon on Wednesday as they aim to make amends for a disappointing run of three consecutive quarter-final exits in the Champions League.
"The fact that Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid have been eliminated tells you how hard the competition is and warns us to be vigilant," Valverde said.
"The pressure is on to progress but we focus on the game and if we generate the same chances as we did in the first leg, we will go through."
Madrid sacked Santiago Solari and re-appointed Zinedine Zidane as coach on Monday after they lost to Ajax in the last 16, a defeat that came after consecutive losses to Barcelona.
"He's a great coach," Valverde said of Zidane. "We look forward to facing him next season."
Sep 23, 2017 · What President Trump doesn't get about the NFL By Sally flag but simply to call for equal treatment under it. firing anyone over the anthem protest is race discrimination or unfair
complacency definition: 1. a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder: 2. a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder: .
Driving - No Room for Complacency!
Why Bayern Munich have not yet bid for Man City winger Leroy Sane. The German champions are interested in one of Manchester City's players but have not yet tabled a bid
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane: Rummenigge
Newcastle took a huge step towards securing their Premier League survival as Ayoze Perez sealed a 1-0 win against Leicester on Friday. Rafael Benitez's side moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Perez's first half header at the King Power Stadium. Newcastle's first away league win
Ayoze Perez heads Newcastle closer to safety in EPL
Claude Puel: Sacked Leicester boss says it was his 'honour' to manage Premier League side "It was my honour to work for the late and much loved Khun Vichai, who gave me the fantastic
Sacked Puel says managing Leicester a 'honour' | Sport24
February 9, 2019 Liverpool's Joel Matip in action with Bournemouth's Lys Mousset Action Images via Reuters Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with a confident 3-0 victory over
Liverpool back on top after 3-0 win over Bournemouth - Egypt
Ticketing information and further pre-season matches to be announced in the coming weeks; Tour 2019, presented by Visit Abu Dhabi, will see the team visit Asia and today the Club confirmed its visit to Japan. Manchester City will play City Football Group sister club, Yokohama F. Marinos in the Nissan Stadium, Yokohama on 27 July 2019.
Man City to play pre-season match in Japan against Marinos
JÜRGEN Klopp did his pre-Southampton press conference a day early today. He was inevitably asked about the form of Mo Salah. That's what happens I suppose when your superstar forward hasn't scored in eight games. It's going to get attention. As ever, Jürgen seemed relaxed about the whole
Klopp Unconcerned With Firmino's Dry Spell - The Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the initiative. Liverpool's destiny is no longer in their own hands after a goalless draw in Sunday's Merseyside derby allowed Pep
MANCHESTER: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated his first game as permanent Manchester United manager with a 2-1 Premier League win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday. It was a far from impressive performance from United but goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial earned the victory which moved them up to fourth in the table, level on
Man Utd 2-1 Watford | Rashford & Martial Goals Give Ole Win
Football: Guardiola tips City as comeback 'heroes' LONDON • Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City "heroes" have what it takes to turn things around after two straight English Premier League defeats.
Manchester City return to heroes welcome after winning
Mourinho's huge pay-off fails to dent Manchester United's record quarter Mourinho was sacked shortly after United lost 3-1 to Liverpool, the fifth league defeat of the season and a result
Mourinho's huge pay-off fails to dent Manchester United's
Ronaldo and Messi (442oons Parody) Play all Every 442oons video featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi parodies, Cristaino Arrogantaldo and Lionel Mess-1 2:01
Football news - Huddersfield end losing run with 0-0 draw at
Madrid, Dec 16 (AFP) Karim Benzema shot Real Madrid to within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona with the winner in a scrappy 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, while countryman Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann: No Barcelona contact for the departing Atlético
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen