Barcelona's record signing Ousmane Dembele out injured until 2018 as he prepares for surgery

Andy West 18:15 17/09/2017
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  • Barcelona’s record signing Ousmane Dembele is unlikely to play again until 2018 after suffering a ruptured hamstring during his team’s victory at Getafe on Saturday.

    The French starlet was injured midway during the opening period after overstretching his muscle while attempting a back-heel, and underwent further tests on Sunday morning after returning to Barcelona.

    The results of those tests were far worse than expected, with a statement from the club confirming: “Unfortunately, he has ruptured the tendon in his femoral bicep in his left thigh.

    “The player will be operated on by Doctor Sakari Orava in Finland this week. He is expected to be out for between three and a half months and four months.”

    Dembele’s prolonged absence provides a big opportunity to Gerard Deulofeu, who replaced him from the bench at Getafe. Another potential beneficiary is Denis Suarez, who scored the equaliser as Barca came back from one down to triumph 2-1, while Andre Gomes, Arda Turan and Rafinha could also receive more playing time – although the latter two are currently injured.

    Before the full extent of Dembele’s injury was known, manager Ernesto Valverde pronounced himself delighted with the character shown by his players to secure their comeback win at Getafe, although he admitted the overall quality of his team’s performance was lacking.

    Barca can consider themselves fortunate to have escaped with three points after struggling to create many clear chances aside from Denis’s equaliser and the late winner from Paulinho, and Valverde believed the bumpy nature of the pitch at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez hindered his team.

    “We really struggled,” he said. “It was a difficult game on a very tough pitch. It was a good test for us, especially after they went ahead.

    “We were struggling to get past their back line. We were banging against a wall and we couldn’t get through. We weren’t playing quickly enough and the pitch didn’t help because it was very dry.

    “But we deserve a lot of credit for turning it around. That means a great deal for us.”

    For once, Barca were not able to rely upon Lionel Messi to rescue them with the Argentine restricted to a quiet performance aside from a brilliant free-kick which produced an even better save from Getafe stopper Vicente Guaita.

    But the squad’s lesser lights took their opportunity to shine, with Denis and Paulinho netting the all-important goals while fellow subs Deulofeu produced a bright display from the bench.

    And Valverde happily paid tribute to those super-subs, saying: “Deulofeu did very well in breaking their defensive lines, and Denis contributed a lot to the game as well as scoring.

    “The goals should give confidence to the players who scored them. It’s important because it shows that we have a full squad and everyone can help us.”

    Matchwinner Paulinho, meanwhile, was understandably delighted to secure victory with his first goal for the club, saying: “I’m so happy to have scored the winner. It was a tough game and the most important thing was the three points.”

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