Xavi has said he hopes the injury Ousmane Dembele suffered during their La Liga match against Girona is not severe.
Barcelona took on Girona in La Liga on Saturday and earned three points from the fixture as they secured a 1-0 win. However, the Catalan outfit suffered an injury blow as Ousmane Dembele was forced off the pitch in the 26th minute with a thigh problem.
Pedri replaced Ousmane Dembele in the 26th minute and the Spanish midfielder would go on to score the winner and the only goal of the game. After a goalless first hour, Pedri sent Barcelona ahead in the 61st minute of the match.
Speaking after the match, Barcelona manager Xavi spoke about the injury Ousmane Dembele has suffered.
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“Turns our plans upside down” – Xavi reacts to Ousmane Dembele’s injury
“Dembele is a difference-maker. I think he’s injured. It’s a real shame. He felt something in his quads,” Xavi said [Barca Universal] after the game.
“Dembele was playing so well, giving so much for us. Let’s hope his injury is the least severe possible. His injury turns our plans upside down.”
Barcelona have since confirmed that Ousmane Dembele has strained the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh.
“Test this evening on Ousmane Dembélé have revealed that he has strained the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh. It means he is side-lined until the can recover from the injury,” Barcelona said in a statement on their website.
Ousmane Dembele has been impressive for Barcelona in the ongoing 22/23 season, and it will be a big blow for the Catalan outfit if the Frenchman will be sidelined as a result of the injury.
The 25-year-old has featured in 28 games across all competitions for Barcelona so far in the current campaign and has racked up eight goals and seven assists.
Meanwhile, with the win over Girona, Barcelona now have a six-point lead at the top over second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. Barcelona have 47 points from 18 matches in the Spanish top flight so far this season.
Real Madrid, who are the defending La Liga champions, meanwhile, have 41 points from 17 matches. Los Blancos will be aiming to reduce the gap on Barcelona to three points when they face Real Sociedad in their next match.
