Dembele out for over a month: aims to return for El Clasico

The game against Girona was difficult for Barcelona. They won 0-1, but it costed Xavi an injury to Ousmane Dembele. The 'Mosquito' underwent tests and they showed he has a thigh problem.

Despite 'Tiempo de Juego' saying he could be out for three weeks, 'Mundo Deportivo' think it could be worse - Barcelona could see themselves going without him for around five weeks, more than a month.

The newspaper claim that Dembele would therefore miss the Europa League knock-out game against United. After losing in the Champions League group stage, the Catalan side will go all out in the other European competition and the Frenchan being out will therefore be a blow.

'Mundo Deportivo' reported that Dembele's injury is significant. He will have to rest up and, most of all, not risk injuring it again. In any event, the injury depends on each player. The medics and the Frenchman will have to decide when he will return.

Dembele's aim, according to the source, is to be fully fit for 'El Clasico', which will beplayed on the 19th March at the Camp Nou. He would therefore miss league games against Betis, Sevilla, Villarreal, Cadiz and Almeria, as well as the already mentioned game against United in the Europa League. He would not be able to play the Copa del Rey semi-final either, and Barca wil find out who is their fate this Monday.

Dembele would therefore not be playing until mid-March. He is in doubt for the league game against Valencia, planned for the 5th March. He could make his return in that one or in the game against Athletic Bilbao one week later. Xavi is already thinking about who he will use to replace him, though he knows it will be more than a headache for him.