Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho, coddled by the dressing room
Messi spent the final stages of the Girona game trying to feed Dembele
They are the two most expensive players in Barcelona history, but that doesn't mean it will be easy. Ousmane Dembele arrived in the summer and Philippe Coutinho in the winter, and the dressing room received them both with open arms, doing everything possible to help them integrate.
Dembele has suffered more than the Brazilian, for his lesser experience, the pressure on him from the start and the injuries that have butchered his first season here. Now he's being seen as the 'little brother' of the squad and they are treating him with care and affection.
Language is not a handicap as various members of the squad speak French - Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne. The former Borussia Dortmund star is always with them, but now also seems more integrated with the rest of the dressing room.
The 'mosquito' meanwhile, is also being looked after on the pitch, where he looks increasingly bold and more willing to show off the skills that helped him triumph in the Bundesliga last season.
On Saturday Messi appeared to be seeking him out on various occasions to help him open his goalscoring account. It was not to be.
COUTINHO, JUST ANOTHER GUY
With the Brazilian everything has been even easier, because he already had the support of the dressing room. His friendship with Luis Suarez in Liverpool was key here. He kept it going and they have become neighbours here, along wit hMessi, who brings them into training and to matches in his car.
With the other Brazilian, Paulinho, he also gets on well, and the other players like him for his affable and humble character. He speaks Spanish fluidly and that helps too. Coutinho and Dembele are being helped by the dressing room.
