Junior: Barça earned right for other players to play in Champions League

Junior: Barça earned right for other players to play in Champions League

Junior, en la rueda de prensa que ofreció en Milan
Junior, en la rueda de prensa que ofreció en Milan | AFP

Barcelona are set to make wholesale changes for their game against Inter on Tuesday

Junior Firpo spoke to the press in Milan on Monday ahead of this week's game against Inter in the Champions League, responding to questions about Barcelona's expected changes and Lionel Messi, among other things. 

The left-back remembered that he played at the San Siro "last year with Real Betis against Milan and it's incredible to be here one year later in the Champions League. I am in the team dynamic, I want to play well and get the three points." 

Lionel Messi is among the players not even called up for the game, with Barça already into the last 16, but Junior still feels the Catalans "will go into the match to win, even though there are important players missing. We have earned the right throughout the group stage for other players to participate. It's nice, because (it means) we can all play in the Champions League.

Competition with Alba

The former Betis defender has taken Jordi Alba's place in recent weeks with the Spain international injured. Junior commented that Alba "is Leo's best partner. They have played together for many years and understand each other almost without looking at each other." 

He added: "In my case, we're getting to know each other and find each other (on the pitch) and improving. Leo is the best in the world, maybe the best ever, and he will keep on scoring hat-tricks (like against Mallorca at the weekend). The retirement (quote) was taken out of context. We've got Leo for a while yet, as we see in every game."   

On the competition with Alba when he returned, Junior admitted that he will "struggle" to deal with a backup role after so many games starting in a row. "I try to do the best possible so that the coach (Ernesto Valverde) has a decision to make. When we're both at our best, he will decide." 

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