Barcelona’s Setien Speaks On Injuries, Messi And New Champions League Format Ahead Of Sevilla Clash

FC Barcelona coach Quique Setien has spoken on a wide range of subjects including injuries, Lionel Messi, and the new Champions League format ahead of tomorrow’s La Liga clash with Sevilla.

Regarding the fitness of Sergi Roberto and Frenkie de Jong, who are rumored to be injured, Setien confirmed: “It was a shame because we did not expect to lose him [Roberto]. We will see how he evolves. He endured the minutes he played against Leganes very well, but we do not have specific date, [whether] it will be a game or two [that he misses]. We’ll see. Frenkie had a problem that has not been resolved and therefore we prefer to wait and lose a game and not four if things get worse.”

On Luis Suarez, who is still yet to start for FC Barcelona after returning from a January knee knock, Setien remarked: “You want me to tell you if he will start … The games are very close [together] and he is still not ready to play the whole match. We will talk and see if he starts or plays after a few minutes.”

The future of midfielder Arthur Melo, linked to both Inter Milan and Juventus, has often been discussed in the media. But Setien remain tight-lipped on the matter. “It is not something that worries me right now,” he confessed. “The important thing now is that he is focused on the games. It is important for him, the team and the club. The rest will be seen [later].”

It was announced at an exclusive Executive Committee held by UEFA yesterday that the quarters, semis and final of the Champions League game will be decided through a unique one-off game format, but Setien is not a fan. “I think it is worse for everyone, but we have to adapt to that and not make mistakes,” he said. “It is something for everyone and we have to accept it because UEFA has decided so. What I do hope is that against Napoli [in the last 16 second leg] we can play here [in Barcelona] and not on a neutral pitch.”

“I think that playing on a neutral field against Napoli would be to give an advantage to the opposition who played the first leg on their own field and with their [own] crowd,” he added later. “In the rest of the knockout rounds, if we pass, I would prefer to play double-matches because you have more options to correct mistakes, but nothing can be done about it.”

“I think the team is capable of winning all of the remaining games, although it is very difficult,” Setien answered on the strength of his outfit. “We have six goals for and zero against [since returning], and our outlook is good, with the greatest respect to our rivals. But it is probable that some of [the teams] will fail in some moments because it is difficult to take all the points, although it is probable.”

Pushed on whether Lionel Messi might reach 700 career goals next time out, Setien said: “It would be very good if he did it on a pitch like that [at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán] and against a rival like Sevilla. These are figures that are only available to the chosen ones. Hopefully he will put that one in [against] Sevilla and then many more” .

“It is evident that it is something that can benefit us, because it is a crowd that always pressures [the visitors] a lot,” Setien said of playing in the mentioned stadium, yet behind closed doors without supporters.

On the strong showings from youth players Ansu Fati, Riqui Puig and Ronald Araujo recently, Setien explained: “Fortunately Ansu Fati is much better from the small [physical] problems he has had but he is a 17-year-old boy who must be managed [well] as we have done so far and as we do with others. Little by little he will get to know himself better and we will also [know] him to get him to offer the [type of] performance he gave the other day.”

“Ansu, Riqui and Araujo are three very different but very good guys who bring us things and we will use when we need them, as we have done so far,” Setien expanded further, saying towards the end of his press conference of Puig that he had “already congratulated him on his good game” against Leganes.

“It was a shame he did not score and we will take him into account for the future. His journey is being good in terms of what I perceive and see, and if he really deserves it [then] he will surely have more minutes,” it was vowed.

“Sevilla are a fairly complete team, very solid, and physically [they are] one of the strongest teams in the championship. They are a fairly constant and successful team. When they have to attack they do it well, they generate chances, they create danger. On set pieces they are very strong. And when they have to defend, they do it with solvency. But we also know that they have certain weaknesses and we will try to exploit them,” it was concluded of tomorrow’s opposition, who will be taken on at 16.00 ET/22.00 CET.