Barcelona talking points as Ousmane Dembele makes breakthrough and Andre Gomes sinks further

Ernesto Valverde’s visitors then went ahead through stand-in striker Paco Alcacer’s tap-in on 64 minutes. But a 26th league win of 2017/18 was controversially denied when Spain forward Iago Aspas bundled home – with the help of his arm – little more than 10 minutes after Roberto’s red card for a tug back.

COPA IS KING

Head coach Valverde was good to his word – and then some – at Estadio Municipal de Balaidos.

Pre-match comments about the need for changes after a draining recent run and with the weekend showpiece in mind led to eight alterations from Saturday’s nervy, record-breaking 2-1 victory against Valencia. Gaining silverware was prioritised over protecting a historic 39-match unbeaten run in the top flight.

One of the most-star-studded substitutes’ benches in the history of the game featured the likes of Argentina icon Messi, Uruguay predator Luis Suarez (who was so animated when no one shared his instincts to follow in Paulinho’s header which crashed against the post), France centre-back Samuel Umtiti and Spain left-back Jordi Alba.

The XI that started had never been utilised before – and it showed in a predictably disjointed display.

Spain forward Denis Suarez ran into blind alleys on his old stomping ground. France left-back Lucas Digne contributed one accurate cross.

They will be among the number lucky to survive the summer.

Goal scorer Dembele and the execrable Gomes had contrasting nights.

Barca had to thank one of three established starters for protecting their unblemished standing. Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was utterly outstanding and made eight saves against opponents who boasted the better chances.

GOMES MISERY CONTINUES

There is a cruelty to watching Gomes’ continued presence in the Barca set-up.

The harrowed Portugal centre midfielder experienced yet another nadir with Celta’s leveller.

His under-hit pass into the middle played Dembele into trouble. This error was then compounded by a piecemeal recovery challenge as Uruguay bulldozer Maxi Gomez skipped past him to fire across goal for Jonny Castro to gleefully tap-in a merited equaliser a minute before the interval.

The first part of this horror reel was particularly unforgivable.

We are talking about a 24-year-old midfielder who has won Euro 2016 with his nation, previously played for sizeable clubs in Benfica and Valencia, plus been coveted by Real Madrid prior to a potential €55 million (Dh250m) switch to the Catalans. Such suicidal passes should not be played by someone of this experience.

There is something more than ability at play here. The drain on confidence searingly revealed by the player himself last month must remain an issue to be solved.

Overall, he contributed no key passes from 87.1-per-cent pass accuracy and just one tackle.

When Gomes was sacrificed on the hour mark with the scores level, this was an act of mercy.

OUS SHOWS HE CAN BE THE MANE

The main takeaway from this display was not Ter Stegen’s redoubtable nature or Gomes’ enduring torture in a Barca shirt.

A sign of better times came in the 36^th minute. Within seconds of a woeful cross-field ball from Castro being intercepted, Dembele was finding the bottom corner on the bounce with his left foot and celebrating an opening La Liga strike at the 13^th attempt madly with his enamoured team-mates.

The joy on the faces of all involved could not be disguised as the 20-year-old raced to international colleague Umtiti, before being subsequently mobbed.

Faith and belief in Dembele, clearly, remains high in the dressing room, despite the unflinching outside scrutiny.

Every kick and dribble by the €105 million (Dh462m) summer buy from Borussia Dortmund has been poured over, discussed and dissected. This comes with the territory when you join Barca – let alone as an emergency replacement for Brazil superstar Neymar.

A serious hamstring injury has not helped the assimilation. Neither has his relative inexperience or flamboyant approach that jars with the power of the Barca collective.

Dembele’s is a rare talent. And one that requires refining, especially when his undulating 78 minutes on the pitch are judged in total.

But his fine goal at Balaidos further proved what was already known.

This breakthrough could spark him into flourishing during the decisive final weeks – and the many seasons to come.