Ousmane Dembele was fortunate to avoid a red card during Barcelona’s 4-1 away win against Real Sociedad on Sunday evening.
The France international, 25, caught Sociedad defender Aihen Munoz in the face with his left elbow during the first half. At the time, the score was 1-1. Dembele went on to score Barcelona’s second goal before Robert Lewandowski inspired Xavi’s side to a big win.
Dembele’s elbow was reviewed by the VAR official but no punishment was given. In the player’s defence, he was not looking at Munoz when his elbow made contact with his face, although he did seem to know the 25-year-old Spaniard was just behind him.
Although Dembele’s goal gave Barcelona a crucial lead on Sunday, it was Lewandowski who inspired them to their first La Liga win of the season. The Poland international needed just 45 seconds to score the opener, poking in a low cross from Alejandro Balde.
Sociedad equalised moments later through Alexander Isak, with the hosts finding the net again in the second half. The latter strike was disallowed for offside. Then came Dembele’s moment, hitting the bottom corner with a convincing left-footed effort.
After that, Barcelona stormed into a 4-1 lead. Lewandowski scored another poacher’s goal and set up substitute Ansu Fati for the final strike. Sunday’s result leaves Barcelona fifth in La Liga, two points behind early leaders Villarreal. Only two fixtures have been played.
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Speaking ahead of the game, Xavi demanded a response from his players after their goalless home draw against Rayo Vallecano last time out. “It is not easy,” he told reporters. “We have to have humility. The game against Rayo was a footballing disgrace. We deserved to win and we lacked effectiveness. We played a good game. I prefer euphoria to defeat.”
Lewandowski’s trademark double came on his 34th birthday. Jules Kounde was again left out of Barcelona’s team as they are yet to register him as a player. As reported by Forbes, the Frenchman could leave the club before playing a game if the situation continues.
“We are still waiting,” added Xavi before the game. “He is our priority and we will see if he can be registered. He is a centre-back with a lot of class and experience even though he is 23 years old.
“At Barcelona he will have to prove every game if he can play. I see him more as a centre-back, but in an emergency he can play as a full-back. We need departures to register him.”
After avoiding a red card against Sociedad, Dembele will be available for Barcelona’s next game against Valladolid at the Camp Nou on Sunday evening. After that, Barcelona face Sevilla, Cadiz and Elche, with their Champions League campaign starting in September.
Dembele is hoping for a successful campaign after a series of serious injuries. The winger has played just 104 La Liga games since joining Barcelona from German side Borussia Dortmund five years ago, a deal that cost a whopping £135.5million.
