With Lionel Messi given a rest and role as a substitute for Barcelona’s match against Leganes on Sunday, Ousmane Dembélé moved into the Argentine’s customary position on the right-hand side of Barca’s front three and spent the opening 45 minutes making the Camp Nou forget all about the man they were missing.
Dembélé opening run of the match led Leganes on a merry dance. He nutmegged one defender and then was millimeters away from dicing another.
Stop what you're doing and watch this @Dembouz nutmeg. #BarçaLeganes pic.twitter.com/NRMfRkuRey
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) January 20, 2019
A few minutes after that, he ended one player’s career before somehow keeping possession when surrounded by five Leganes players.
Dembele pic.twitter.com/gxo2gXMHAT
— FCBCOMPS10 (@FCBComps10) January 20, 2019
In the 32nd minute, it was the 21-year-old Frenchman who opened the scoring after playing a large role in the buildup. Special shoutout to Gerard Piqué for carrying it forward from defense.
Brilliant play by @Dembouz 1-0 #ForcaBarca @FCBarcelona #BarcaLeganes pic.twitter.com/vbAqO4MTWY
— rafsan.zany (@ZanyRafa) January 20, 2019
It was simply a master class from Dembélé in the opening 45.
Ousmane Dembélé's first half by numbers vs. Leganés:
48 touches
8 take-ons
3 crosses
2 chances created
1 shot
1 goalMore of the same, please. pic.twitter.com/0AtMIfSmoy
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 20, 2019
12 - Ousmane Dembélé attempted 12 dribbles in the first half gainst Leganes (eight completed), his best tally in a 90 minute game for @FCBarcelona in all competitions. Exhibition. pic.twitter.com/GbZTDQGlpI
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 20, 2019
Straight from the second half kick off, the kid was back at it with a ridiculous backheel to present Coutinho with an opportunity to shoot, but the Brazilian's attempt was blocked.
Dembélé Full Highlights vs. Leganes
But all of Dembélé’s good work would be undone in the 57th minute when Martin Braithwaite found an equalizer for Leganes with the club’s first shot on target.
That would lead to the introductions of Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic in the 64th minute, and two minutes after that double change, Dembélé’s night was over.
He went down awkwardly despite there being an absence of contact, but he appeared to have tweaked his ankle during the fall. He could be seen walking gingerly without assistance on the sideline — so it’s hopefully nothing too serious — but Malcom was brought on for the final 20 minutes.
However, only minutes after that, Messi’s stinging shot from range brought a save from Ivan Cuellar, but Luis Suarez was on hand to knock in the rebound.
In the 93rd, Messi got his goal.
الدوري الاسباني | برشلونة 3 × 1 ليغانيس | هدف الثالث برشلونة ميسي HD
— فهد بس (@ang4044) January 20, 2019