Ousmane Dembele, ruled out 100 percent for the Clasico
The French winger will not feature against Madrid on March 19
Ousmane Dembele will not play in the Clasico on March 19 in La Liga. There were doubts as to whether Dembélé could make the game, but in the end, as SPORT has learned, the doctors, Xavi himself and the player have decided that it is better to be cautious. The two-week international break after the game is an ideal scenario for the winger to get into a rhythm and eliminate any kind of risk.
It has happened in the past that the return of a star player has been rushed. Because of necessity. And in this case the scenario is good for not forcing the return of Ousmane. The match against Real Madrid, with Barça's cushion in the domestic championship, is not a vital necessity. It would be different in another context, for example the second leg of the cup semi-finals. A match ball.
The Frenchman will not be in the France squad either, of course. Deschamps already knows that he will not be able to count on him. The player from Evreaux is dying to get back on the pitch. Xavi also wants to be able to count on him as soon as possible. But he wants to proceed with the utmost caution. If nothing goes wrong, the Elche-Barça game at the Martínez Valero on 1 April would be the date for the Frenchman's return. But, above all, there is the second leg of the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid on the 5th.
There will still be two months of competition ahead. And two titles at stake with a view to that coveted treble (Super Cup-Cup-League), which is currently the main objective of Xavi's first full season in charge of the first team.
