Dembele Remains Unused Due To Alves' Red Card - Barca's Xavi Explains

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has explained why french winger Ousmane Dembele remains unused in the 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

"The idea was for him to come on, but I decided on other things because of the red card and the way the game went," Xavi said, referring to Dani Alves' sending-off in the 69th minute.

The Spaniard tactician also begged the fans not to boo Dembele over his refusal to sign a new contract at Camp Nou.

"The fans were 10 of 10 and the support was brilliant throughout the game," Xavi told a news conference.

"But I would like them to support Ousmane, too. I'd ask them to stop booing him.

After his refusal, Barca asked him to leave before the January transfer window closed, but the 24-year-old was unable to find another club and will stay at the Catalan club until the end of the campaign.

The win moved Barcelona up to fourth place on 38 points from 22 games, leapfrogging Atletico, who are two points adrift in fifth.