Barça boss Setien responds to Messi: We can compete with everyone
Messi had said Barcelona are not in a good position to win the Champions League
Quique Setien, the Barcelona manager, responded to comments made by Lionel Messi this week in his pre-game press conference for Saturday's match against Eibar.
Messi had said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo that Barca "must grow a lot" if they want to win the Champions League this season and said that as of today they are not in a position to conquer Europe.
Setien does not share Messi's opinion: "There are things I agree with (about Messi comments) and other things I don't. It's true there is no room for error in the Champions League but I have seen over the last 20 years how the competition has been won and I think we have the same chance as other teams.
"There are things we need to try and improve and do better, that's clear. We are not happy with everything but we are growing little by little and getting to a level that allows us to compete with all teams."
Barça travel to Napoli for the first leg of their last 16 tie on Tuesday but Setien says they must treat Saturday's game against Eibar like a final before thinking of the trip to Italy.
"We have important games coming up but first if Eibar," he said. "And we are approaching it as if it was a final. Three points are vital, not just to stay in the title fight but also to strengthen us ahead of what's to come."
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