Dembele set for Barcelona return
MADRID: Ousmane Dembele is in line to make his latest comeback for Barcelona when the leaders of La Liga take on Getafe at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
The young France forward has endured a campaign ravaged by injury since his 105 million-euro move from Borussia Dortmund in August. If the 20-year-old can stay fit, he could have a role to play in the impending Champions League last-16 tie with Chelsea. “It depends on the work he does, but he is a player in whom we have a lot of hope,” said coach Ernesto Valverde when asked if Dembele would play on Sunday. “We need to go carefully, but let’s see if he can bring something to the team in what is a decisive stage in the season.
Gerard Pique is a doubt after coming off hurt late in that match — he has been included in the squad but did not train with the rest of the squad on Saturday.
GRIEZMANN’S STRIKE HELPS ATLETICO WIN
BARCELONA: Antoine Griezmann struck after 39 seconds as Atletico Madrid beat Malaga 1-0 on Saturday to provisionally close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to six points.
Second-placed Atletico went ahead almost instantly when Griezmann capitalised on Saul Niguez’s deflected strike falling at his feet close to goal.
VAR DENIES FIORENTINA PENALTY IN JUVE WIN
MILAN: Juventus ground out a 2-0 win at Fiorentina on Friday after the hosts had a penalty revoked in another contentious incident involving the video replay system (VAR).
Federico Bernardeschi scored against his old club and Gianluigi Buffon made his 500th league appearance for the Turin side but it was all overshadowed by the latest episode involving VAR.
Fiorentina were awarded a first-half penalty for handball by Giorgio Chiellini and Jordan Veretout waited for nearly three minutes to take the spot kick before the referee indicated he would review the incident using the VAR system. Forward Gonzalo Higuain wrapped up the points with four minutes left.
BATSHUAYI SCORES AGAIN, REUS RETURNS
BERLIN: Michy Batshuayi scored his third goal in two games since joining Borussia Dortmund as they celebrated the return of Marco Reus from injury with a 2-0 win over troubled SV Hamburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Mario Goetze added the second to take Dortmund third and push the Dinos - the only ever-present club in the Bundesliga’s 55-year history - a step closer to relegation. Dortmund have 37 points, one behind RB Leipzig, while runaway leaders Bayern Munich, on 53, host Schalke 04 in the evening match.