Ousmane Dembele is dynamite Barcelona must keep as he counters Lionel Messi well

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  • Ousmane Dembele

    History is within Barcelona’s grasp as they travel to Levante for the final away fixture of their La Liga campaign.

    Ernesto Valverde’s men have just two games left to cement their place in Spanish football annals with an unprecedented unbeaten league campaign in touching distance.

    The Catalan giants hammered Villarreal 5-1 on Wednesday and have hit the 90-point mark, some 15 more than second-placed Atletico Madrid with Real Madrid a further three behind.

    Levante, meanwhile, have nothing to play for having secured La Liga status for another season, but they are enjoying an impressive run with five wins in their last six games.

    With that in mind, we take a look at some of the key questions facing the Blaugrana.

    BACK TO 4-4-2 OR STICK WITH 4-3-3?

    Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde

    Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde.

    Under Valverde, Barca have evolved to become a tactically mature side.

    Granted, he’s forfeited style for substance but the 4-4-2 he’s implemented this season has been a resounding success on the domestic front.

    Lionel Messi’s central free role in behind Luis Suarez has formed the fulcrum of their attack but a high-press coupled with what is essentially a bolted back five when Sergio Busquets drops in has created a finely balanced team.

    However, the 4-3-3 shape is in Barca’s DNA and managers have rarely deviated away from it over the last decade.

    A commitment to beautiful football should see the formation reintroduced next season with both Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele meshing well within the system, as Villarreal found to their detriment in midweek.

    Those two either side of Messi were chief tormentors, although it did relegate Suarez to the bench so don’t be surprised if Valverde reverts back to his trusted 4-4-2.

    MORE DEMBELE DYNAMITE?

    Philippe Coutinho (r) celebrates with Ousmane Dembele

    Philippe Coutinho (r) celebrates with Ousmane Dembele.

    There are rumours beginning to surface of a possible loan exit for Ousmane Dembele but Barca would be wise to exhibit a degree of patience.

    The Frenchman was electric against Villarreal. Aside from his two goals, the second of which was a slick slalomed run finished with a delicate dink, he was superb, offering a different dimension to Barca’s attack.

    He breaks through lines with piercing pace and his acceleration married with a perfect balance offers a neat counter to the close-control style of Messi.

    The 20-year-old has only displayed flashes of his brilliance in an injury-hit season but he’s shown enough to prove his potential is immense.

    If Messi’s skill is surgical, slicing through defences, Dembele is dynamite, his explosive talent virtually uncontrollable.

    With the season coming to a close, these are vital games to aid his integration and any talk of a departure should be hushed immediately.

    MINA TO GET MINUTES?

    Barcelona's Colombian defender Yerry Mina

    Barcelona’s Colombian defender Yerry Mina.

    Another player linked with a move away from Camp Nou is giant Colombian centre-back Yerry Mina.

    The 23-year-old is reportedly a surprise target for Premier League side Liverpool having struggled to force his way into Valverde’s first-team fold after signing from Palmeiras in January.

    He appeared off the bench for a 10-minute cameo on Wednesday, his first minutes since starting in the calamitous 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo in April.

    Aerially, he’s been utterly dominant and has shown no fear in bringing the ball out from the back as well.

    But he was destroyed on the deck by Iago Aspas for both Celta strikes and he hadn’t been seen again in the league until last week.

    With Samuel Umtiti sidelined, he could be handed a rare start to get crucial minutes under his belt and it will be an indication of his immediate future the role he has to play against Levante.

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