Valverde: Umtiti didn't insist I include him in squad for Lyon

Valverde: Umtiti didn't insist I include him in squad for Lyon

Ernesto Valverde se mostró algó incómodo al hablar sobre el regreso de Samuel Umtiti
Ernesto Valverde se mostró algó incómodo al hablar sobre el regreso de Samuel Umtiti | sport

Umtiti returns form injury against the club Barcelona signed him from

Ernesto Valverde never loses his cool in press conferences and always responds respectfully, but that does not mean there are not questions which annoy him. 

Ahead of the game against Lyon on Tuesday, he was asked about the return of Samuel Umtiti, who's in the 21-man squad for the Champions League last 16 match. Valverde gave the impression he did not like the suggestion that the French defender had forced his way into the squad to face his former side despite not being fully fit. 

"He's not insisted to me [that he be included] at all," the coach said. "I've not spoken with him about it. He is coming because the medical team have passed him fit, we have [Thomas] Vermaelen injured and because he's a great player. 

"I'm always asked why he's not been [in squads] and now he, I'm asked about that..." 

Valverde didn't give any clues as to whether he will start Umtiti in France: "For now, he's in the 21-man squad, which will have to become 18. Then I have to pick 11 [to start]. We will see what happens."