Barcelona could be braced by the return of Ousmane Dembele for their tough scheduled fixture against Villarreal at the La Ceramica Stadium. The Frenchman was initially not expected to be fit in time for this clash but might be able to make it as per the latest developments.
Dembele has had a tough time at Barcelona since his switch from Borussia Dortmund and injuries have been a massive factor in that. Hopefully, Dembele can deliver the goods for Barcelona in the last few matches of the season and make his side triumphant in the Primera Division race.
Spanish publication, Marca, claimed that Dembele was involved in a full training session with Barcelona earlier today. Consequently, Koeman also named him in the squad which will be travelling to Villarreal. The French attacker missed Barcelona’s midweek triumph against Getafe at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona Injury News
Barcelona’s full squad for the Villarreal clash – Ter Stegen, Neto, Pena; Dest, Roberto, Mingueza, Pique, Araujo, Lenglet, Umtiti, Alba, Firpo; Busquets, Matheus, Ilaix, de Jong, Pedri, Puig, Pjanic; Dembele, Messi, Trincão, Griezmann
Absentees – Ansu Fati (knee injury), Phillipe Coutinho (knee injury), Martin Braithwaite (ankle injury)
Interestingly, Neto has also been named in the squad after nursing his injury over a prolonged period of time. However, it is highly unlikely that Neto would get more minutes in the Barcelona shirt this season.
Here’s an update on the rest of Barcelona’s injured players –
Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian is nearing his return to full fitnesses after missing out on almost 35 matches this season. However, it remains to be seen if the Brazilian will have any involvement with the first-team squad.
Martin Braithwaite
The striker could return to action as early as next week. The striker had a sound start to the season but the minutes and goals have dried up as the season has progressed.
