Video: the reviled Dembélé breathed life into Barcelona with a high-scoring win over Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona had a great night at the Camp Nou on Sunday night, beating Athletic Bilbao by a high margin to move into next season’s Champions League places for the first time in a long time. Thewin was masterminded by the fan-maligned Ousmane Dembélé.

Both teams fielded a pared-down lineup, contrary to custom. Home pilot Xavi not only had to deal with the enforced absence of left-back Jordi Alba, but also decided to rest Blaugrana star Frenkie de Jong.

Athletic Bilbao made even more changes compared to their opponents following the rematch of the Spanish Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia. The first semi-final match ended 1-1 at San Mamés, leaving the Basques with a lot of work to do in the return leg. Iker Muniain, Iñaki Williams or Inigo Martinez were left on the bench despite being the cornerstones of their team.

However, the substitutes had a decisive say, with Ousmane Dembele, Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay scoring from the bench.

Aubameyang’s form continues

Although youngster Gavi had the first real chance of the game, January transfer star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the Catalan side the lead. After a great centre into the box, home captain Piqué got the highest of the ball, but his header only hit the crossbar and a ready Aubameyang split the net for the first time.

Aubameyang confirmed his great form and scored his fourth goal in the last three games. He then celebrated the goal with the traditional flip celebration.

Dembélé decided the match with a phenomenal performance from the bench

The start of the second half was much more cautious, that is until the arrival of the French winger. He was faced with the situation of looking for a new club during the January transfer window. But Dembélé stayed at the club, putting him in the unenviable position of being damned by his own fans, and Xavi reportedly shouldn’t have built him up until the end of the season. Later, however, the coach stood up for his player and started to put him in games again.

The Frenchman came off the bench for the 67th minute against Athletic and after six minutes on the pitch, he repaid his coach. With the Catalans’ second goal, he increased the gap to two goals after an incredible shot into the top corner of the visiting goalkeeper’s net. To celebrate his goal, the winger headed to his team’s bench where he hugged Xavi.

He then added two more assists at the very end of the match, after which substitutes Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay sealed Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Athletic. You can watch the video of the match below.

Revenge

The win extended Barcelona’s unbeaten streak to six games, dating back to their Copa del Rey exit in January to the Basque side from Bilbao. In the second round of this season’s La Liga in August, Athletic also edged Barcelona after a 1-1 home draw.

But what is crucial for Barcelona is to return to the top four of the La Liga table, which guarantees a place among the elite in the millionaire Champions League. Although Barcelona has the same number of points as last year’s champion Atlético Madrid, it has a worse record.

Source: Marca, Twitter