Valverde: Barcelona will decide before the Dortmund game if Messi can play - 7M sport

Valverde: Barcelona will decide before the Dortmund game if Messi can play



Posted Tuesday, September 17, 2019 by Marca.com

Valverde: Barcelona will decide before the Dortmund game if Messi can play

Lionel Messi has been included in Barcelona's squad list for the game against Borussia Dortmund, but Ernesto Valverde has claimed that he has yet to decide if the Argentine will play on Tuesday.

The former Athletic Club tactician made clear that the decision on whether Messi will return to action at Signal Iduna Park will be taken before the match.

"We will decide tomorrow [if Messi can play]," Valverde said at Barcelona's pre-match press conference.

"A few days ago we were not very clear, but the last training ended well and he is no longer thinking about the pain he had.

"It is important to play without thinking.

"He has improved a lot, but we will see tomorrow."

If Ansu Fati debuts in Germany, he will be the youngest Barcelona player to ever do so in the Champions League, but Valverde insisted he would only use him for tactical reasons.

"I haven't talked to him much, except for tactical things," he added.

"I don't like giving advice too much, but I'll talk to him.

"It's about everyone around treating him naturally.

"We'll see if he plays, and if he does it's not for breaking a record but for the team's needs."

The 55-year-old coach reflected last year's elimination at the hands of Liverpool, urging his players to bounce back and focus on the future.

"Last year we won eight or nine games, we lost one and we didn't reach the final," Valverde noted.

"The two [teams] in the final lost more games than us.

"Here you can't disregard 10 minutes as mistakes are costly.

"In the same way we win, sometimes we lose.

"The important thing is to get back up, but that belongs to the past and now the future begins.

"Football always gives you a new opportunity."



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.