Dembélé out for Atlético, doubt for Man Utd clash
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has confirmed that Ousmane Dembélé will play not be risked against Atlético or Manchester United.
Ousmane Dembélé will miss Barcelona’s LaLiga clash against Atlético Madrid on Saturday and is a serious doubt for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United next Wednesday at Old Trafford.
The news regarding the French international was confirmed by Ernesto Valverde in a press conference ahead of the league clash between first and second place, where a win for El Blaugrana will virtually put Atlético out of the running for the title.
Valverde urges on side of caution with Dembélé
"Dembélé will not be ready for tomorrow. We don’t know if he will be there on Wednesday, but we are not in favour of risking him tomorrow or Wednesday," said the Barcelona coach.
Valverde is urging on the side of caution after he had previously risked Dembélé in the last 16 tie against Olympique Lyon. And despite scoring a goal, the French striker played a poor game and ended up suffering a relapse of the torn muscle injury that has kept him out of Barcelona’s last three LaLiga fixtures.