Ousmane Dembélé is dropped from the starting XI for the first time this season
Ernesto Valverde has decided to opt for a more stable midfield combination and not use the tricky winger for the match against Tottenham
Ernesto Valverde has dropped one of the players most felt was 'untouchable' this season in Ousmane Dembele. The French winger is on the bench for Barcelona's second Champions League match of the season against Tottenham Hotspur after Valverde decided to change his system. He's returned to the 4-4-2 which served him well last year and has opted for Arthur to come in and strengthen the midfield.
Up until this evening Dembele had been a starter in all nine of FC Barcelona's official matches this season: seven in LaLiga, the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League opener against PSV. The forward has scored five goals and performed well but he's paid the price for the switch in formation.
Valverde's return to the 4-4-2 perhaps isn't surprising seeing as he used it in the big matches in his double winning campaign. Paulinho was the player who usually came into midfield to offer more muscle. Following the exit of the Brazilian it's seen a switch to 4-3-3 but that has changed for the game against Mauricio Pochettino's team.
