UCL: Barcelona Manager Wary Of Roma Challenge

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Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde has urged those predicting an easy Barca win against AS Roma at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night to stop.

He said his team is not treating the Italian side as underdogs as Roma have already earned respect by winning their group and making it thus far.

Speaking to an assembled team of journalists on Tuesday, Valverde said, “I doubt very much that the tie will be won in the first leg.

“Given the level of our opponents, it would be useful not to concede and still win, but we are aware that playing a good match won’t be enough.

“Watching their group games, it wasn’t a surprise that Roma were top, nor is it a surprise that they are in the quarter-finals.

“They play to attack and defend with solidarity.

“We will have difficulty progressing. It is an attractive knockout tie.

“We face it with enthusiasm and a 50 percent chance of winning, just like them.”

Giving an update on Sergio Busquets, the team’s only injury worry apart from Lionel Messi, Valverde said, “Yesterday [Busquets] trained and played an important part,” he added.

“And we think that today he will be fine and that tomorrow he will be even better.

“He is important for us and the national team. We hope to have him back.

“We are talking about players with such specific and strong characteristics that when they aren’t playing, you miss them.
“Messi and Busquets are fundamental.”

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