Valverde explains why he picked Dembele over Ansu Fati vs. Slavia
The coach feels that Ansu is currently better coming from the bench
FC Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde explained on Friday his reason for picking Ousmane Dembele over Ansu Fati against Slavia Prague.
"It was a game for both players," Valverde said in a news conference ahead of the weekend's La Liga game against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou.
"Dembele started, but it was very tight and that made it difficult to run. In the second half, it was better, but I opted to change it."
As for Ansu Fati, he commented that "I'm seeing him better coming on off the bench with the game already going than from the start."
"HE DOEs amaZINg THIngS"
Sticking with Dembele, who Barça played 105 million for in 2017, Valverde added that "he does amazing things and we want him to do them all the time."
He continued: "He has to toughen up when he receives the ball, especially when he receives it with his back to the opponent. We have a great player (in Dembele), he gives us a lot and we hope for more."
