Valverde talks Pique, Dembele and Mina ahead of Getafe

Ernesto Valverde has faced the press ahead of Sunday’s clash with Getafe and confirmed that both Gerard Pique and Ousmane Dembele are both in the squad for tomorrow’s game.

He refused to discuss his team for tomorrow, as he didn’t want to give any clues to Getafe, but did say Pique has not trained ahead of the game.

Valverde on Getafe

We are coming into the decisive part of the season when titles are decided. We need to get through these games and people must realise how difficult they can be.

This is a game with challenges. Getafe defend well and they are having a great season. The focus this week has been on Valencia and then the next game is very close. So we need to re-activate ourselves for that game and it’s an important game as well. We want to maintain our lead, we’re at home we want the three points. But Getafe will put a lot of pressure on you, they are uncomfortable to play against. They always threaten on the counter. They are a team that does not lose many games.

Valverde on Dembele

He’s a player on whom we have many hopes pinned, we need to be careful, hopefully he is going to do things in this phase of the competition that is so decisive. But he’s the kind of player who can help us. He’s been getting into the group dynamic, slowly adapting to the team. Tomorrow is a good game for him to be involved in.

Valverde on Pique

Vermaelen is coming to the end of his recovery. This week he should be able to join the squad for training. We’ll see how the week develops. As for Pique. I’m not going to tell you if he’ll start or not. Yes he does have some fitness issues, from the Espanyol game, we took a risk on Thursday because it was such a decisive games, but tomorrow is also important. We need to assess the situation.

I would like all my players to train the day before the game and if he hasn’t there’s a reason for that.

Valverde on Yerry Mina

He is ready to play tomorrow, so are all the others in the squad. I will decide if he plays tomorrow. He’s made his official debut, not for very long that’s true, but things don’t stop. We have important matches to play.

Valverde on Copa del Rey final

Our job was to qualify, the rest is someone else’s job. The ideal thing would be to know at the start of this season where we’re playing. We have this process every year and I guess this year will be the same. It gives people something to talk about, I think that’s the idea. It’s not one of my biggest concerns.

Source: barcablaugranes.com