Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde believes blockbuster buys Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele have taken “steps forward” after their contributions in the 6-1 win over Girona on Saturday.
Coutinho and Dembele lined-up alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez for the first time with the attacking quadrant crucial in the rout.
The Brazilian plundered his first La Liga goal with a trademark curled effort before setting up Luis Suarez while Dembele also laid on an assist for the Uruguayan’s hat-trick goal.
Messi netted twice and his sparkling performance dominated the headlines but Valverde was keen to highlight the progress made by his two star signings.
“When a player scores as Coutinho did he gains more and more confidence, which is what a player is always looking for,” Valverde said.
“They are players who have to help us and who are already doing it, each with their own characteristics.
“Dembele has a more extreme profile, he brings more depth [to Barcelona’s play] but he has had problems with injuries and skipped that period of adaptation. That’s why he’s still getting used to the team.
“Coutinho plays very well in the inside game. I think both have taken a step forward today.”
Suarez: 3 goals, 2 assists
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 24, 2018
Messi: 2 goals, 1 assists
Coutinho: 1 goal, 1 assist
Dembele: 1 assist
Barcelona's front four are 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5viOQn3VZY
Aside from his treble, Suarez was the subject of post-match debate after appearing to deliberately attempt to earn a yellow card which would have resulted in a suspension for the midweek trip to Las Palmas.
Barca host Atletico Madrid in a clash of La Liga’s top two the following weekend and Suarez is one booking away from hitting his accumulative limit.
Jordi Alba will miss the Las Palmas fixture after he was carded but on the situation Valverde said: “They are moments of the game and the referee decides.
“I have nothing to say about that. If we have a setback due to an accumulation of bookings, another player will play. We’ll decide what we do.”
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