Coach Quique Setien says "every day is an exam at Barcelona"

Quique Setien looked ahead to Saturday's game at Mestalla against Valencia in a press conference on Friday. The Barcelona coach recognised that, with respect to the game against Ibiza, there are concepts which the team need to take on, although he maintained he is happy with what he saw against Granada. 

"No, I don't have the feeling we're a long way from the idea we have," he said. "I said after the game in Ibiza, that the team was not good and we have to improve. But I think we did well against Granada. We were not efficient in the final third but we controlled the game and did many things that were already being done and we're happy with that (...) It's true there are other things to improve." 

Setien admitted that he "had a big fright in Ibiza, I won't lie, but it's true that we need many players to understand the details to produce these changes: to have an impact on the things that we give a lot of importance to."  

He continued: "In theory, it shouldn't take us much time but, in general, I know many people are resultadistas who don't care how we play but that we win. That's fine with me, but I know there are many people that will know if the team deserved to win or not, regardless of the result. We have to appreciate the path that takes us to victory."

Asked if Valencia this weekend is his first real test, he bit back: "My first big exam was Granada. The second massive one was in Ibiza (...) I don't expect less from this game that's coming now and of all the games. I know that in Valencia Barcelona have gone many years without losing, drawing a lot but also winning, but you have to pass exams every day here." 

SIGNING A FORWARD 

Setien believes that he has a "great team that in normal circumstance can compete for everything. There are some things like injuries that can't be controlled. And that can make the difference if you have a strong enough team... we have to be prepared for anything," in respect to signing a substitute for the injured Luis Suarez. 

One of the names linked is Valencia's Rodrigo, but the coach would only say "I like all great players" when asked about him. 

Rodrigo returns from injury for Valencia and could feature against Barça on Saturday. 

"Evidently Rodrigo is an extraordinary player," Setien added. "He won't only make it tough for us, but for any team he plays against, we've seen it before. He would be a key player for any team, and in this case, for Valencia. I would have preferred him not to play. But we know if he doesn't play, someone else will. They won't play with 10. The level of Valencia, with or without Rodrigo, is very high."

Another option is to use Antoine Griezmann through the middle, as in Ibiza. "It is an option (...) Right now we don't have a specific player that can play as No.9 but the alternative of Griezmann, who did really well the other day, really helped us, is there."