Xavi Hernandez issues statement on Ousmane Dembele insulting fans after his Barcelona return

FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has finally opened up about Ousmane Dembele’s possible reception by the club’s supporters ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg. FC Barcelona managed a hard-fought 3-2 win in the first leg in Paris. However, Dembele is having a tough night when PSG arrive at Barcelona’s Montjuic Stadium in the second leg.

Ousmane Dembele’s unexpected celebration after scoring against his former club FC Barcelona in the Champions League first leg did not go down well with Barcelona fans. Dembele, who was one of PSG’s best players in the first leg, scored the first goal and came close to another after his shot hit the post.

While most supporters expected Dembele not to celebrate after scoring against his former club as a sign of respect, the PSG forward did quite the unexpected. The French international ran to the stands where the traveling FC Barcelona supporters sat and celebrated in front of their faces. However, coach Javi Hernandez revealed that he holds no grudge against his former star.

• Ousmane Dembele’s reception at Montuzzi?

🚨🎙️ | Xavi: “Let the fans show what they feel.” pic.twitter.com/feoY8Qwufc

— Managing Barca (@ManagingBarca) April 15, 2024

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Xavi refused to over-hype the incident and simply said, “Let people show what they feel.” Moreover, the Spaniard also admitted that Dembele left the club last year “Bad tasteAll in all, football fans are in for a treat as PSG take on the titans FC Barcelona in the Spanish city on Tuesday.

Ousmane Dembele hints at ‘Luis Figo treatment’ waiting for him

Meanwhile, PSG star Ousmane Dembele already has an idea of ​​what’s in store for him on his return to Barcelona. The PSG squad was pictured arriving in Barcelona a few hours earlier today. With several fans gathered around the airport, the animosity between fans was already visible when Dembele arrived at the PSG team hotel in the city.

Ousmane Dembele was insulted upon his arrival at PSG’s hotel in Spain ahead of their game against Barcelona on Tuesday night.

The Frenchman celebrated when he scored in his first league game against his former club.

🎥 Mundo Deportivo pic.twitter.com/vG2RLRWh5b

— Deen Sr. (@deensnr) April 15, 2024

Ousmane Dembele has also been tipped to receive the ‘Luis Figo treatment’ when he takes on his former club tomorrow night. The ‘Luis Figo treatment’ refers to how former FC Barcelona star Luis Figo was treated by the Catalan club’s supporters on his first return to the Camp Nou after signing for Real Madrid in 2002.

Thousands of fans jeered Figo throughout the match, with several objects thrown onto the pitch. Whenever Figo stood near the touchline or went to take a corner kick, security personnel had to guard the Real Madrid star with barricades. However, despite the presence of riot police to control the situation, fans managed to throw a severed pig’s head at Figo as a sign of fans’ hatred for their former star.

Throw back when Luis Figo returned to the Nou Camp with Real Madrid. They literally threw a pig’s head at him. pic.twitter.com/EOIXflMWet

— fanleague (@fanleague) April 11, 2017

Although things have changed these days and throwing a pig’s head at Ousmane Dembele is highly unlikely, the PSG star should brace himself for a tough night when he arrives at the Montjuic Stadium. There is no doubt that FC Barcelona supporters will be doing their best to ensure that Dembele has a nerve-wracking second leg on one of the most uncomfortable nights of his life.