BARCELONA (AFP) - Barcelona will make a late decision on the fitness of Ousmane Dembele ahead of their Champions League second leg against Lyon, coach Ernesto Valverde said on Tuesday (March 12).
Dembele sustained a minor hamstring strain against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and is a doubt for the game at the Camp Nou, where Lyon arrive after a 0-0 draw in the first leg.
"We will see how he is and make a decision later," Valverde said.
"It is an important match but we cannot take any risks. If he isn't fit, he will have to wait for the next opportunity," he added.
Dembele's absence could mean a start for Philippe Coutinho, who has struggled in recent weeks and was whistled off by a minority of Barcelona fans when substituted last weekend.
Signed for €160 million (S$244 million) from Liverpool just over a year ago, Coutinho has started 16 of Barcelona's 27 La Liga games this season.
Asked if he had spoken to the Brazilian about his form, Valverde said: "The way we handle the players is a private matter. What we want is for them to give us their best and we expect a lot from him."
The pressure is on Coutinho, and Barca, to deliver against Lyon on Wednesday as they aim to make amends for a disappointing run of three consecutive quarter-final exits in the Champions League.
"The fact that Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid have been eliminated tells you how hard the competition is and warns us to be vigilant," Valverde said.
"The pressure is on to progress but we focus on the game and if we generate the same chances as we did in the first leg, we will go through."
Madrid sacked Santiago Solari and re-appointed Zinedine Zidane as coach on Monday after they lost to Ajax in the last 16, a defeat that came after consecutive losses to Barcelona.
"He's a great coach," Valverde said of Zidane. "We look forward to facing him next season."
Allegri leaves behind 'solid' Juventus. Coach Massimiliano Allegri celebrating Juventus' Serie A win with his players after beating Fiorentina 2-1 at home on April 20. PHOTO: REUTERS.
Allegri leaves behind 'solid' Juventus - theworldnews.net
Reserves deliver as Spurs eye City clash. Lucas Moura scoring his first goal and the team's second against Huddersfield at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The bulk of Spurs' regulars were rested
Pochettino denies Spurs had one eye on Ajax clash after
Champions League: Real Madrid's European reign ends with shock loss to Ajax Ajax stunned Real Madrid 4-1 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, eliminating the three-time defending champion in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Bale benched for Real Madrid's clash with Ajax - sportsmax.tv
Champions League final 2019: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino passed fit by Jurgen Klopp to face Tottenham. The Brazilian has been struggling with a groin problem, but is now in the clear to start at
Roberto Firmino passed fit for Champions League final, Jurgen
sportsalert.org/2019/05/31/roberto-firmino-passed-fit-for-champions-league-final-jurgen-klopp-confirms/
Liverpool have been given a huge boost ahead of their Champions League final against Tottenham - with Roberto Firmino returning to fitness. The Brazilian has missed the last three matches, including the semi-final victory over Barcelona, with a thigh problem.
Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League final
AC Milan out of Europe as Eintracht fans run riot at Lazio during the UEFA Europa League football match between Ludogorets Razgrad and FC Zurich at the Ludogorets Arena in Razgrad on December
AC Milan out of Europe as Eintracht fans run riot at Lazio
What Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and new coaching team will change at Manchester United. Man Utd have appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their new interim manager and MEN Sport caught up with key figures
Jose Mourinho: In defence of the Chelsea manager, who should
Solskjaer needs to be held accountable for Man United's slide (2:09) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was praised for his early success at Man United, but the FC crew say he also deserves criticism for
As Solskjær soars, how many extra points does a manager
Football: Japan's Maya Yoshida warns young teammates - pressure comes with the territory Japan captain Maya Yoshida wants his young teammates to take advantage of the opportunity in the UAE to
Pressure comes with the territory warns Japan's Yoshida
Southgate urges England to make 2019 even better Gareth Southgate has challenged his vibrant young England side to build on a year to remember after they clinched a place in the Nations League semi-finals in dramatic style.
Marco Silva unaware of any offers for Abel Hernandez | Daily
Mourinho concedes Man Utd incapable of living with Liverpool Klopp's substitute Xherdan Shaqiri's two deflected goals helped the Reds back on top of the league By AFP
Mourinho concedes Man Utd incapable of living with Liverpool
Leroy Sane struck the winner as Manchester City beat Liverpool 2-1 in a gripping Premier League clash on Thursday, inflicting the first loss of the season on Juergen Klopp's side and cutting their
Silva unfazed by 'snake' taunts from angry Watford fans
CORRECTED-Soccer-Wenger hails Leeds' Bielsa for sportsmanship in Villa draw Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa's sportsmanlike decision to allow Aston Villa to score unopposed in Sunday's 1-1
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar