Setien talks Griezmann, Rodrigo, Puig & Valencia

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The latest from the Barcelona boss

Quiquen Setien spoke to the press on Friday ahead of Saturday’s La Liga clash with Valencia at Mestalla.

The new Barcelona boss was asked about a range of topics including Antoine Griezmann’s role, interest in Rodrigo, the Copa del Rey draw and the club’s youngsters.

Here are the best bits:

Setien on Griezmann as No.9

He’s an option, he really is. Now we don’t have a specific No. 9, Griezmann is an alternative. He did a good job the other day and helped us a lot. Obviously we will take that into account. He breaks away from his marker well.

Setien on Riqui Puig

There are some interesting things he does well and other things he needs to improve. It’s a process though. Just like with every player we will try to help him so there are more positives than negatives. We will work with him to help him so he continues growing.

Setien on Rodrigo

Rodrigo? I like all good players. He’s an extraordinary footballer, tomorrow he could give us problems and he is a key player for their team. I would have preferred it if he wasn’t playing, but we know that if he’s not there then there is another player who will come in.

Setien on Valencia

It’s true that whenever a side like Valencia lose their previous game, then their desire to break the run is an incentive. I’m always expecting the best side. Valencia are definitely a great side with very good players and they will make things very difficult for us. It’s going to be a very high-level game. Maybe we have the possibility of doing them more damage, but they are a team who can also attack you and I’m sure they will do that.

Setien on drawing Leganes in the Copa del Rey

The fact we don’t have to travel and can play at our own stadium is always an advantage. Even more so in terms of potential opposition, it could have been more problematic. We’ve already seen the consequences for a lot of Primera Division teams who played against opposition who appear to be smaller teams but things can get complicated during games.

Setien on Abel Ruiz

I said many times I will be bringing surprises here because there will be players you see in training and then they stop and go back to the B team. And then others players who will suddenly appear. For example Collado will train with us today because Puig is ill. It’ll be habitual that we’ll see different players, that’s the way to find out what level they can offer us. Everybody will have a chance.

Setien on Ibiza

I got a big scare in Ibiza, I’m not going to lie. I know that there are a lot of people who only care about results, and not how we play, this is the case in football these days. But there are many people who will know if the team has deserved to win or not, or if they have played well or not, you have to look at and analyse how you get the results.

Source: barcablaugranes.com