Setien talks resting Messi, striker search, De Jong & Getafe

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The latest from the Barcelona boss

Quique Setien faced the press on Friday to talk about the weekend’s La Liga clash with Getafe at the Camp Nou.

The Barcelona boss was asked about Getafe and manager Jose Bordalas, whether Lionel Messi needs resting, the club’s search for a striker and much more.

Here are the best bits:

Setien on Barcelona’s striker search

I always prepare for what can happen and I’ll work with I have. Of course, everyone would like to be in a better position. We’ll adapt to the situation. It’s important that a player comes in. Let’s see if they allow us first, we must wait for the response of the committee. But we will always find a plan because in the end you have to play with 11. We will adapt, find a solution and the way forward.

Setien on resting Messi

Messi is just like a lot of other players and knows what he can do and what he can’t do. If he’s on the pitch it’s because he’s able to be. If he’s OK then there’s no problem. Like any other player there will be a time when he have to rest him, but I haven’t spent so much time here for us to be able to evaluate this because these players are so used to playing Sunday to Wednesday, Sunday to Wednesday for many years. You can understand that in many cases it’s not even necessary for them to rest. It’s something we’ll have a look at as it goes on.

Setien on Frenkie de Jong

I think he’s a player who’s very receptive. He’s got the desire to learn and to improve. That’s why I said that he has got no limit. I don’t know how far he can go. But he’s a great player who every day does a lot of things very well. He’s putting things into practice more as well now. We hope he continues growing and keeps improving.

Setien on his rivalry with Bordalas

On the subject of Bordalas, I have forgotten it and I won’t talk about this issue. He has been proving his work is very good for a long time. He has a plan that has improved the team a lot and it got them into Europe. He is very committed and his team are difficult to beat, it will be a difficult game.

Setien on Getafe

Getafe are a team who have spent a while showing they do things very well. They have a plan they have developed very well and it’s taken them to where they are now, they’re in Europe and in third place. They are a team who are very committed and difficult to beat, right now they are in good form and everything is going well for them.

Setien on the title race

Many league titles have been decided on details, in the final minutes, or in situations which neither team is able to control. We are just as much favourites as Real Madrid. They have a three-point advantage, but we have a game there at the Bernabeu. When the moment comes we have a lot of expectations. We know the importance of the game and will go all out for it.

Setien on Luis Suarez

I haven’t spoken to the doctors but I ask him how he is and try to keep his spirits up. It’s a process that will take time but we hope he can reduce his recovery time.

Source: barcablaugranes.com