Ousmane Dembele was the star of the show for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao, scoring the 4,000th home league goal in the club’s history and also laying on three assists.
📊Ousmane Dembele is the first Barcelona player with 3 assists and a goal in a LaLiga game since Luis Suarez in 2019. pic.twitter.com/Civsv9sBVj
— 𝙾𝙳⁷🇨🇵 (@Dembouz_Era) October 24, 2022
Dembele had considered leaving Camp Nou over the summer after seeing his contract expire.
However, after a strong finish to last season, new terms were ultimately reached, and he has since continued to flourish.
Ousmane Dembele, making the difference for Barça. Xavi changed the situation in few months: “I wanted him to stay and sign a new contract because he can play at this top level”. 🔵🔴 #FCB
Current deal expires in June 2024 – it will be key topic again soon for Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/ASPmgiuNYl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 24, 2022
Dembele was the league’s top assist producer last season, despite missing the start of the 2021–22 season due to an injury sustained at Euro 2020.
His revival under Xavi has continued into the new season, and he is once again at the top of the charts.
Barcelona were under pressure as they prepared to welcome Athletic to Catalunya, having lost ground to Real Madrid with a defeat in El Clasico earlier in the month.
Trending Stories: Azpilicueta Hits Out At FIFA On Packed Football Schedule
Madrid had left it late to beat Sevilla on Saturday, but things were more straightforward for Barca.
On Sunday, it was Dembele who scored the game’s first goal after 15 minutes. The 25-year-old then set up goals for Robert Lewandowski and Sergio Roberto just before the break.
Ferran Torres completed the scoring from another Dembele assist, and the Frenchman got a welcome rest when Xavi took him off 13 minutes from time.
The result meant Barca remain within three points of Real Madrid.
COMMENTS