Valverde on 'The Best': "For us, Messi is the best"
Ernesto Valverde spoke to reporters ahead of Barcelona's visit to Leganés on Wednesday night.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde gave a press conference ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with Leganés, in which he spoke about the upcoming game against Mauricio Pellegrino’s side, 'The Best' Awards, news of Isco’s absence after surgery, VAR and the controversy over Lenglet’s red card against Girona.
Valverde quotes
Leganés under new coach Pellegrino: “[His] sides are always organized, which starts with tactical organisation, how they move and how they surprise you on the counter. This year they have been pressing high – as they did at the Bernabéu – and they play with quite a lot of enthusiasm at home. It’s a contradiction that they’ve only got one point at home; they played two games very well. The worst game was the last one against Eibar. It will be a tough game.”
Malcom and Munir: “Malcom is included and Munir is another one in the squad. The game is there to be won, with them or with others.”
Messi being snubbed at 'The Best' awards: "I do not think it's time to compare players, but for us, Messi is the best. I have nothing else to say, [other than] Modric is a great player who has had a great year."
Media frenzy over awards ceremonies: "Years ago there weren't this many awards, so there wasn't as much press coverage. Now there are lots of them, every gala is a homage to something or someone. They bring stars from all over the world and they have to sell that. It's covered by more press, so it becomes more controversial. It sells, in a certain way. I put it [controversy around awards] down to that. It's maybe excessive, but this is what it is. It's a sport, but more and more it's becoming show business.”
VAR and Lenglet’s red card: “We are in the initial period of VAR. Later, things tends to get adjusted, but the controversy will not disappear altogether. It will be reduced, but in incidents like this one… if it was the elbow to the face, or the other way around, we’ll see what happens."
Messi not shaking referee Gil Manzano's hand after Girona game: “I’m not looking at those things. It’s a story, nothing more. It would be good if they dismissed someone for not shaking hands.”
Isco’s possible absence from El Clásico: “We hope he recovers soon. It’s a while yet until El Clásico. We don’t wish anything bad on anybody.”
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