Valverde talks Munir, rotation and Vidal ahead of Copa del Rey

The holders face Levante in the last 16

Ernesto Valverde has been talking ahead of Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash with Levante and spoke on a range of topics.

The Barcelona boss gave an update on Munir’s situation, talked a little about which players may feature and also offered his view on the Copa del Rey itself.

Here are the best bits:

Valverde on Munir

It appears that Munir has made a decision, the club also. The sooner a solution is found, the better. If it can be resolved in the winter transfer market, all the better. I have nothing against Munir, he’s a player in the squad, he has always trained and played well... I do not have much more to add.

Valverde on rotation

With a league game around the corner on Sunday, we will make changes. I am sure they will, too, even though our ambition is to get through to the next round. Messi and Suarez could be rested, it’s a possibility.

Valverde on Arturo Vidal

It’s a possibility to put Arturo Vidal out of 9, it’s true that it has crossed my mind. It’s a possibility that Dembélé can play at the striker, and we also have B players, like Mujica.

Valverde on the Copa del Rey

It’s an open tie. We start as favourites but Levante are a good side and they will push us as they did in the league game. We will make changes and I suppose that they will do the same.

I don’t agree with all the talk that the Copa del Rey is a waste of time. We have to be excited about it, as it gives us a lot and we love playing the final and the semi-final. We have to go for it and not give anything up.

Valverde on Murillo

The fact that we bet on a player from our league is because we want him to take part in these games that are coming now. It was hard for him in the first training sessions, but he will play soon.

Source: barcablaugranes.com