Believe in yourself more, Xavi tells Dembele

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Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has called on French winger Ousmane Dembele to believe more in himself and constantly help the team win.

The striker had a disappointing game against Inter Milan as Barcelona lost 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

However, the coach, who previously said Dembele has the potential to be the best winger in the world, could become more decisive for the club.

"We are very satisfied with his professionalism since our arrival, we gave him a little love and confidence and he gave it back to us," Xavi said during a press conference on Saturday.

"He has to make a difference in every game, he can do it and he needs to believe more in himself. To score more, help more, and in every game he should give us more.

"He made the difference, but he has to do it even more, in every game, every moment."

Dembele became a key player for Barcelona under Xavi and enjoyed a good season, although he struggled with his last ball in Milan.

Barcelona couldn't break through in Italy and will be on the verge of being knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage for a second straight season unless they can beat the Italians at Camp Nou on Wednesday .

"We need to shoot more from outside the box, get defenders to step in and leave space behind us, our cross and our decision-making in the final third need to be better," added Xavi .

Barcelona host Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday as they aim to retain top spot ahead of next weekend's Clasico.

Frenkie de Jong is back in the squad after injury but Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Memphis Depay, Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie and Hector Bellerin are still absent.

AFP