Barcelona manager Xavi compares Ousmane Dembele to Neymar after his two assists in the 5-1 win over Viktoria Pilsen and praises his “important” influence… as he admits he is “in love” with hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski
- Barcelona coach Xavi has compared Ousmane Dembele to PSG superstar Neymar
- The Frenchman collected two assists in Barca’s 5-1 win over Viktoria Pilsen
- The former midfielder was also full of praise for hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona boss Xavi has compared winger Ousmane Dembele to PSG superstar and former teammate Neymar.
The Catalans sealed a 5-1 win over Viktoria Plzeň in their opening Champions League game and dominated their group, which also includes Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.
New signing Robert Lewandowski made headlines by scoring a hat-trick and complementing goals from Franck Kessie and Ferran Torres for the Spanish giants in the game.
Ousmane Dembele collected two assists in Barcelona’s 5-1 win over Viktoria Pilsen
Barcelona manager Xavi was full of praise for the Frenchman’s performance in the Champions League
However, former midfielder Xavi was full of praise for Dembele, who scored two assists and caused real trouble for his opponents with his Brazilian one-on-one magic.
Xavi told Sport after the game: “He’s happy, having fun, he’s satisfied, he’s important to me, to the group… He makes the difference, supports, scores, he’s a knife and he’s in a good moment.
“I don’t want to shower him with praise but the capacity he has in one-on-ones is at the level of the best Neymar. He has to be braver, shoot more at goal and score.
The manager has compared Dembele’s one-on-one ability to PSG superstar Neymar (pictured).
“He’s a good boy and he has to exploit those qualities. He is able to make the difference and he is doing it.”
Dembele provided two assists throughout the game, the first coming when he regained the ball from the opposition before whipping in a perfect cross to Lewandowski’s head.
His second was a wonderful chip that sent Ferran Torres over the top of the defense for the first time.
The manager was also full of praise for new signing and hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski, who has scored eight goals in just five games since joining from Bayern Munich this summer.
Coach Xavi was also full of praise for new signing and hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski
The Spaniard added: “Hat-trick for Lewandowski today. But not only, he plays and makes the team play.
“He knows the third man and reads the room perfectly. I’m in love. His signing was fantastic.’
The Spanish giants will be hoping Lewandowski can continue his prolific form when they meet tougher opposition at Bayern Munich and Inter Milan next in the Champions League.
