Jordi Alba: "A favour from Juve? I always want Madrid to lose"
The Barcelona full-back previewed tomorrow's meeting with Roma. "They're a very compact side and we'll need to make the most of the chances we get”.
Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba joined Ernesto Valverde in the Camp Nou press room to look ahead to tomorrow's first leg against Roma.
Solid at the back
Vital to keep a clean sheet: “This season we have not conceded in quite a few games which has turned out well for us because we usually score. It's very important for us to keep a clean sheet - especially as we have the first leg at home, it would be nice to travel to Rome not having conceded”.
Roma, a strong and compact side
The favourites: “We're aware that we have a great squad and we have the quality to win this tie. But having said that, they beat Chelsea and Atlético in the group stage... They're a very compact side and we will have to make the most every chance we get”.
Umtiti and his future: “He's really grown as a player since he joined us. He's a top player and makes the team much better. We have to respect what he says and decides to do. He's very committed to the team. The players who are here are here because we want to be here”.
Chances of winning the treble: “The possibilities are better than they were in 2015, we're much more consistent now. We're in the Copa del Rey final, we're well placed in LaLiga and we'll have to see how we get on in the Champions League. We've been showing a lot of quality to our attacking game and we're improving in defence. But the treble isn't something we talk about among ourselves”.
A real pleasure to watch Messi in action
Messi and Argentina: “The 6-1 scoreline was deceptive. If we meet at the World Cup it won't end up like that. They were without players - including the best player in the world. Criticizing Lionel? We should be thankful to be able to watch him play every three days and recognize that for those of us who are lucky enough to play alongside him, he turns us into better players. Our rivals fear him and having him on the pitch gives us peace of mind. With him, we are a much better team and when he's on the pitch, our chances of winning are much higher”.
Busquets: “He's the number 1 in his position and a very important player for Barcelona”.
Juve-Madrid: “Every culé wants Madrid to lose, and it's the same the other way around. It's just how it is, it goes without saying”.
