Valverde full of praise for Messi, Dembélé partnership
Lionel Messi masterminded Barcelona's victory over Ajax as both he and Ousmane Dembélé impressed head coach Ernesto Valverde.
Ernesto Valverde praised the understanding between Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembélé after the pair helped Barcelona overcome Ajax in the Champions League.
Star man Messi became the most prolific goalscorer for a single club in the competition as he scored one and assisted the other in a 2-1 victory that confirmed Barca as Group B winners.
The skipper's opener was a moment of inspiration in the penalty box, weaving away from multiple markers to manufacture space for a predatory finish past Jeroen Zoet, making it a record 106 Champions League goals for the Argentina forward.
Young winger Dembélé supplied the pass in the build-up in a continuation of his recent renaissance.
The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Spain, but was on target in the weekend draw with Atletico Madrid and impressed in Eindhoven.
"I'm not entirely sure how Messi scored that goal," said Valverde. But he and Dembélé combined really well down the right. Between them you could count on them producing a shot on goal from almost any situation.
"My team created lots of dangerous chances too, but it was a game which was too open."
Barça were thankful to Messi for stirring them after a below-par hour of play in which they could have been punished by the hosts.
He delivered the free-kick from which Gerard Piqué doubled the advantage, ensuring Luuk de Jong's late header proved only a consolation.
"We had problems in the first 20 minutes," admitted Valverde.
"There are certain moments in which you have to know how to suffer. They were encouraged and it was a difficult match, but we secured first in the group. We're happy."