Atletico equaliser will boost Dembele, says Busquets

Ousmane Dembele's equaliser for Barcelona against Atletico Madrid will help him settle in at the club, says Sergio Busquets.

After Diego Costa's first LaLiga goal of the season put Atletico in front at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday, Barca boss Ernesto Valverde sent on Dembele.

The France forward has been the subject of media speculation over his private life and future, but wrote positive headlines with a last-minute leveller.

His goal kept Barcelona at the top of LaLiga at the expense of Atletico and Busquets suggested it could be a turning point in Dembele's career.

"This goal will come in handy, he has to adapt to both his private life and football," Busquets told Movistar following the 1-1 draw.

"We have to help him because he's very young and we know he can help us a lot."

A tight match saw both sides struggle for opportunities, Costa's goal coming from Atletico's first corner of the match, while Barca captain Lionel Messi was quiet until he set up Dembele.

"We dominated more and we had more of the ball," added Busquets.

"We were the ones who tried to win the most, but I think the game is fair.

"We wanted to play but it was difficult because they worked together a lot. Atletico raise their game for matches like this."

Latest in
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be allowed to wear No.66 at Real Madrid as transfer edges closer
Ipswich Town third kit for 2024/25 season
'The pink kit was quite divisive to begin with: a lot of people were unsure of it but I think the Tottenham game has cemented it as this epic kit' Ed Sheeran talks about designing Ipswich shirt - and how it ties into his music
Stuart Pearce Non-League Day
'It’s absolutely essential that funding drips down from the top end of the game – there is a disconnect' Stuart Pearce takes the Premier League trophy back to his non-league roots
Latest in News
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be allowed to wear No.66 at Real Madrid as transfer edges closer
Ipswich Town third kit for 2024/25 season
'The pink kit was quite divisive to begin with: a lot of people were unsure of it but I think the Tottenham game has cemented it as this epic kit' Ed Sheeran talks about designing Ipswich shirt - and how it ties into his music
Stuart Pearce Non-League Day
'It’s absolutely essential that funding drips down from the top end of the game – there is a disconnect' Stuart Pearce takes the Premier League trophy back to his non-league roots
Dejan Kulusevski celebrates after scoring for Tottenham against Ipswich Town in February 2025.
Tottenham chasing Premier League star to help unlock Dejan Kulusevski: report