Barcelona boss Xavi makes Ousmane Dembele feelings clear ahead of PSG star's return

Xavi hinted he wouldn’t blame Barcelona supporters for booing Ousmane Dembele on his return, after admitting his exit “tasted bad to me”.

Dembele, 26, angered some sections of the Barcelona fanbase with his decision to quit the club and join PSG last summer after previously saying he didn’t get why there was so much talk about a move to Paris. During his six years in Catalunya, the Frenchman scored 40 goals and added 43 assists in 185 matches.

Now at PSG, Dembele scored during their 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg last Wednesday and has the chance to impress once again against his former employers on Tuesday. That was only his second goal for the Ligue 1 side following his £43million move.

Speaking ahead of the game, Xavi said: “I felt bad about Ousmane because he was in an extraordinary moment here. I hold no grudges, and tomorrow I’ll greet him with all respect. I have a lot of affection for him.”

But when asked further about the prospect of Barcelona fans booing Dembele, Xavi added: “I don’t hold a grudge against him. Tomorrow I’ll greet him, as I did in Paris. With respect, I appreciate him. [But] Let people show what they feel.”

Dembele had become a key member of Xavi’s Barcelona side that won the La Liga last season. He and Raphinha battled for the spot on the right wing and both made a healthy contribution during a memorable campaign, which saw them claim the title for the first time since 2019.

His U-turn to leave Barcelona came as a shock to many, before, back in November, Dembele explained why he decided to join PSG.

Ousmane Dembele scored for Paris Saint-Germain against former club Barcelona

“Yes, I said I would stay at Barcelona, but after speaking with PSG I was convinced that I had to leave. I signed for PSG because it is a French club and I love it,” he told L’Equipe.

“Was the choice easy in my best moment in Barcelona? I simply wanted to sign for PSG. It was more Paris that made me change my mind than not leaving Barcelona. Kylian did not try to convince me, I came to Paris because I love the club, it is a French club and I love it. I come from Evreux, not far from here.

“The world talks about Paris Saint-Germain and it was written that one day I would sign for this club. I have many friends, supporters of the club, who always tried to convince me to come.”

Barcelona head into the second leg at the Montjuic Stadium with a one-goal advantage. A brace from Raphinha and a fine header from Andreas Christensen earned Xavi’s side the victory, with Dembele and Vitinha finding the net for PSG. Despite boasting the lead, Xavi is not taking anything for granted.

He added: “[I am] Happy to be where we are, proud to be where we are. I think it’s a good moment and I’m excited. We feel it already. We have to control our emotions, our temperament … It’s a game of heads or tails. We want to be in control with the ball, and we want to show the best side and personality of the team.

“We need our fans to be loud because PSG will make us suffer, there’s no doubt about it, and we have to be a team to beat them. All of us, together.”

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