Barcelona's Valverde: "Juventus are a very strong team"
Barça coach Ernesto Valverde spoke to the press ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match against Juventus at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde gave his press conference ahead of the Champions League match against Jvuentus at the Camp Nou on Tuesday (20:45 CEST) and said Barça were up against tough rivals.
Juventus are a tough side
"Juventus are a very strong team. Their elimination of Barcelona last season is still very recent. They press high and we'll need to overcome everything they throw at us. We need to stop them connecting their lines. It'll be an intense match", said Valverde.
However after Barcelona's 5-0 thrashing of Espanyol on Saturrday night, Valverde said the team were in "good spirits". "We're coming off the back of a 5-0 win, but that's only a guarantee that you are able to play well, we can't forget that they are also in fine form".
The most important thing for Valverde is the possibility of reaching the final months of the season with chances to win trophies.
Valverde says Iniesta is boss of his own future
The Barcelona coach was also asked about Iniesta, with debate focusing on whether and when the player will extend his contract, after club president Bartomeu said they had worked out a deal in principle, which was denied by Iniesta. Valverde opined: "Everyone is in charge of their own life and their own future. What we want is for him to be in a good situation and to be happy, although that's not exclusively for him, but for everyone".
Dembélé against Juventus
Asked if new club record signing Dembélé would start against Juventus, having made his debut coming on against Espanyol, Valverde said: "We'll see. Every day he's more integrated and if he doesn't start now it'll be in the next few games".
Barcelona squad to face Juventus at the Camp Nou. Alcácer misses out, Dembéle in.
