Quique Setién believes he can win the Champions League despite his recent poor performance. He is contradicting superstar Lionel Messi.
The controversial coach Quique Setién believes in a Champions League victory with FC Barcelona despite the criticism of superstar Lionel Messi. “I feel that we are fully aware of the importance of the competition,” said Setién, adding: “If we play like we did at Villarreal (4-1 win in early July, editor’s note), we can win the Champions League.
Messi had warned against an early exit in the premier league after the playful Spanish championship. You have to “change a lot of things” if you don’t want to lose against SSC Naples, Messi had stressed. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of sixteen, Barcelona will welcome Naples to their second duel on 8 August.
Setién had no problem with the world footballer’s remarks, the Barca coach said before the last league game at Deportivo Alaves on Sunday (5 p.m. in LIVETICKER): “I think we all say something at times that can be interpreted badly. Nevertheless, he emphasized that “in some areas we need to improve.”
Until the end of the season Setién will probably not have to fear for his job, as Mundo Deportivo reported. Barcelona could finish a season without a title for the first time in 12 years.