Valverde: Messi's absence in Milan? The coach makes the decisions

Ernesto Valverde explained his decision to leave Lionel Messi out of the Barcelona squad for Tuesday's Champions League game against Inter Milan. 

Barça have already qualified for the last 16 going into the final group game so Valverde has decided to rest Messi, Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto at the San Siro. 

"That will remain internal," the Barça coach said when asked if he'd spoken to Messi about the decision to leave him in Barcelona this week. 

"The decisions are made by the coach based on what's convenient for team. We have played a lot of games in a row now. We played on Saturday night and now we have this game on Tuesday. Keeping in mind what we have ahead of us, I decide not to bring him."

Barça's game at Inter is followed by a trip to Real Sociedad this weekend. Then, on Dec. 18, Real Madrid are due at Camp Nou for the first Clasico of the season.  

"Last year we came to Milan with Messi in the squad and then heh wasn't in the 18 in the end and three days later he played against Real Betis," Valverde continued. 

"We know what Messi is and what he means, but there have been games in which we've played without him and we've done well. There have been others that haven't gone so well. 

"We know the fear he strikes into opponents. But he didn't play against Inter in either of the two games last year."