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Barca's new star Dembele set to miss four months injured
Barcelona's record signing Ousmane Dembele will miss up to four months with a hamstring rupture, the club said Sunday.
The French winger was substituted after 29 minutes of their 2-1 win at Getafe on Saturday in La Liga after pulling up injured.
"The player will have surgical treatment by Dr. Sakari Orava next week in Finland. He will be out for between three-and-a-half and four months," said Barcelona in a statement.
Dembele is set to miss several big games including La Liga clashes with title rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, as well as the rest of Barcelona's Champions League group stage games.
Barcelona signed Dembele this summer from Borussia Dortmund for a record 147 million euros ($175.53 million) including add-ons, to replace Neymar, who left for Paris St. Germain.
Coutinho committed to Liverpool after failed Barcelona move
Liverpool playmaker Phillipe Coutinho has said he has no agreement to join Barcelona next season and is committed to helping the Merseyside club achieve their ambitions.
The 25-year-old Brazil international was Barcelona's key transfer target but Liverpool rejected multiple bids from the La Liga side, saying the player was not for sale.
On Saturday, Coutinho made his first start of the Premier League season but failed help his side avoid a 1-1 draw against Burnley. He discussed his "complicated month" for the first time in an interview with ESPN Brazil.
"What happened was a job offer and, in life, sometimes you get interested; sometimes you don’t and, in my case, everyone knows that I got interested, my family too," said Coutinho.
"It's an honour to receive an offer like that, but it's also an honour to be here (at Liverpool).
"I earned my place during the last four, five years and I've never had a problem with anyone here. I've always respected the support very much of the groups. The players, the directors, the technical staff. And that hasn't changed at all."
When asked whether a later date was agreed for a move to Nou Camp, Coutinho replied: "No, nothing that I know of. I'm in a place where I'm very respected by everyone and I also always respect everyone.
"No. It's all done now. I'm focused on working hard and to have a good year if possible. In the end, I have to help my team."
Stuttgart captain Gentner suffers multiple facial injuries in Casteels clash
VfB Stuttgart captain Christian Gentner has suffered various facial injuries after his collision with VfL Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels in Saturday's Bundesliga game, his club said.
Casteels leapt high to try and catch the ball in the penalty area and his knee caught Gentner in the face in the process.
"Extensive examinations revealed that Christian Gentner had suffered breaks to the lower and lateral (parts of his) eye-socket, his nose and his upper-jaw," said Stuttgart in a statement.
"The 31-year-old will undergo surgery over the next few days and is expected to make a complete recovery."
Stuttgart's sporting director Michael Reschke described it as a "cruel blow" for Gentner.
"The most important news though is that he will make a full recovery," he added.
"Christian is enormously important for us both on, as well as off, the pitch. In the four Bundesliga games we've played thus far, he has impressively proven his exceptional qualities."
