Ousmane Dembele Likely To Miss Rayo Vallecano Clash, Will Return Against Real Betis
As we enter the final phase of the 2022/23 season, Barcelona are still waiting for the return from injury of star winger Ousmane Dembele.
The 25-year-old has been out on the sidelines since late January when he sustained a thigh injury in a game against Girona. He was expected to be sidelined for a period of five weeks only, but it has almost been three months since he has been out.
Indeed, Dembele was initially expected to return for the La Liga Clasico against Real Madrid last month, but it was postponed to the Copa del Rey Clasico earlier this month. But, his return did not materialise then either as the winger’s recovery has been going slower than anticipated.
Last week, Dembele returned to group training with the rest of the team but was not called up for the game against Atletico Madrid as Xavi Hernandez & co. did not wish to risk a relapse.
It was suggested that the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner could be ready in time for the game against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night.
However, according to Javi Miguel of AS, that is now seen as an unlikely prospect, with club sources telling the publication that it is ‘very difficult’ for Dembele to make the squad list that will be released on Tuesday by manager Xavi.
Instead, Dembele is now being pencilled in to return to action against Real Betis at Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday night.
As mentioned earlier, the club medical staff is unwilling to risk any relapse or complication with Dembele’s injury given his past fitness issues and are hence pushing his comeback to the weekend, at home against Betis.
Furthermore, it is claimed that even if he does return to the field against Manuel Pellegrini’s side, the French forward will only feature from the bench and likely play only twenty minutes.
Barcelona will thus likely continue to bank on Raphinha for the next two games. The Brazilian had some discomfort after the Atletico Madrid clash but is expected to be fit and ready to face Rayo Vallecano.
