KEY POINTS

  • Barcelona have 28 points from 11 games
  • Ousmane Dembele scored a goal and assisted the other 3
  • Barcelona's next game is on Wednesday against Bayern Munich

FC Barcelona on Sunday suffered a double-injury blow after Gavi and Sergio Roberto were forced to walk off the field during their side's 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Gavi, who won the Kopa Trophy at the latest edition of the Ballon d'Or awards, got injured in the first half after being on the receiving end of an intense tackle. He was eventually replaced by Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie. The 18-year-old Gavi looked in real pain when he went off the Camp Nou field, according to Barca Blaugranes.

While Gavi returned to the field after the final whistle to shake hands with the Athletic players, full-back Roberto went off late on with a shoulder problem. The defender, who scored the second goal of their 4-0 victory, could not finish the game. He would be ruled out for a few games, according to head coach Xavi Hernandez. Roberto suffered a shoulder injury last season and this could be a reoccurrence.

"Gavi will be fine for Wednesday, will lose Sergi for a few days, we will see the tests tomorrow," Xavi told reporters after the game.

After Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring in the match against Athletic, Roberto doubled their lead with his 18th-minute strike. In-form Robert Lewandowski made it 3-0 and took his goals tally of the season to 17. Having played 15 games in his maiden season for Barcelona, the Polish striker has also made four assists. Out of the 17 goals, 12 have come in La Liga as the Catalans are in second place with 28 points.

Apart from scoring the first goal, Dembele assisted the remaining three in the 4-0 victory. In 15 games across competitions for Barcelona this term, the Frenchman has netted four goals and provided seven assists.

Young midfielder Gavi has been a rare plus point for Barca this season
Gavi recently won the Kopa Trophy AFP / OSCAR DEL POZO

Deservingly, Dembele received praise from his boss after producing a fine performance against Athletic.

"They make it difficult for me. There is competition. That is an advantage for the group. Everyone is doing well and working for the team. The winger is heads or tails and Ousmane plays it, he is a winger. He has great potential to make a difference. There are days when he is thicker and today he has been stellar. He must look for more stellar or near-stellar days. That's why I wanted him to stay," Xavi said.

Barcelona's next game is a big one as they are scheduled to host Bayern Munich in a reverse leg Group C game on Wednesday (Oct. 26).