“I regretted his departure, he was in an extraordinary moment. I don’t him and I will greet him,” said Barcelona manager Xavi in the run-up to Paris Saint-Germain’s visit on Tuesday. The Barcelona fans were not quite as hospitable.
PSG triggered the release clause in Dembélé’s contract in the summer, bringing his time at the Nou Camp to a close. The Frenchman’s time at Barcelona was marred by injuries and therefore a lack of rhythm but at the time of his departure, Dembélé looked to be hitting his stride.
However, Dembélé was keen for a new challenge and a return to France was confirmed before the start of the season. Whilst, statistically speaking, Dembélé hasn’t had the strongest debut season at PSG, he has quickly earned the faith of manager Luís Enrique, who has described the winger as “the most destabilising player in the world.”
In the first leg of PSG’s quarter-final encounter with Barcelona last Wednesday, Dembélé got on the scoresheet for just the second time this season and despite scoring against his former side, did not hold back in his celebration. How he will be received in Barcelona on Tuesday remains a mystery but if Monday was anything to go by, it may be quite hostile.
As he stepped off the team bus on Monday afternoon, Dembélé was booed by Barcelona fans who had gathered at Les Parisiens’ team hotel. He should probably expect more of the same on Tuesday. Watch the video of PSG’s arrival in Barcelona HERE.
GSFN | Luke Entwistle
