Valverde explains why he brought on Vidal instead of Dembele

Ernesto Valverde has explained his decision to bring on Aleix Vidal, rather than Ousmane Dembele, during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Barca boss replaced Paulinho with Vidal after 65 minutes, and his only other change was to swap Andres Iniesta with Andre Gomes in stoppage time.

Dembele was left on the bench and Valverde said Tuesday’s game was not a match in which he could afford to experiment.

“Why Aleix and not Dembele? [Dembele’s] been out injured for a while, and for a match like this, Coaches go with the things they know best,” he said.

“Aleix also gives us things, a different profile. When we’re faced with a match like this, I rely on certainties.

“I had to play Paulinho as a starter and then bring on Aleix Vidal for more depth. It wasn’t the time to experiment. That’s how I see it.”

Source | Football Espana

Dembele has seen his season ravaged by injury so far and looked nervous and tenative in his last outing. Barca face Girona in La Liga at the weekend and we should get to see Dembele again.