Successful return! After a whirlwind stint in the Europa League last season, FC Barcelona brilliantly returned to the Champions League on Wednesday at Camp Nou, beating the modest Czech club Viktoria Plzen 5-1 as expected thanks to a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski. Midfielder Franck Kessié opened the scoring in the 13th minute by deflecting a header from Jules Koundé from a corner, then it was the Polish striker, as since the start of the season, who carried the Blaugranas to victory .
Another man stood out in this match: Ousmane Dembélé. The Frenchman still delivered an impossible job on his right wing, and delivered two assists. First after a confused and brilliant action, where he knitted in the box, lost the ball, then adjusted a perfect sliding tackle before depositing a millimeter ball on the head of Lewandowski. Then by depositing a sublime ladle for the 5-1 signed Ferran Torres. It was well worth the ovation from Camp Nou when they left, just after.
This performance also earned him praise from his trainer. “It’s not to throw flowers at me, but I always saw in him his qualities of one against one. Qualities that I have rarely seen elsewhere. He is practically at the level of the best Neymar, when he was here (in Barcelona). He has suffered a lot in recent years, so I am very happy for him,” Xavi savored after the game.
One can only believe the former club captain. Barely appointed, last December, he declared that Dembélé was “perhaps the best in the world at his post”. He had thus greatly contributed to the Frenchman extending his contract with Barça, when a free start was a time in the cards.