Coach of FC Barcelona Quique Setien has provided an update of his team ahead of their first La Liga fixture since sporting events were cleared to resume behind closed doors.

Barca will play Mallorca on Saturday, June 13, 2020, and according to Setien, Lionel Messi is available to feature in that game after growing concerns over the readiness of the Argentine.

"We didn't have any doubts over his availability against Mallorca," Setien said about Messi on Catalunya Radio.

"There have also been others with [injury] problems. He stopped [training] out of precaution."

"It's something that we have to talk about, I'm sure he could play from the start,” he said.

On Suarez’s certainty to be featured in that game, Setien did not guarantee following his injury in January, which sidelined him until the coronavirus, brought a halt.

"It would be hasty for him to play the whole match. We don't know if he'll play from start to finish.

"He's doing very well, but we have to avoid putting him at risk.

"Any [injury] problem makes you miss three or four matches, which would be very damaging."

This is the first time Setien will be able to field the Uruguayan striker since he was appointed as Ernesto Valverde's successor in January.

"He's an extraordinary player," Setien said about Suarez. "He has some qualities that any team would want.

"He's very active, he puts a lot of pressure on opponents and defenses, his movement is good and he has great effectiveness.

"He's a great addition, without doubt."

 

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With 11 fixtures to be played in just over a month, Setien knows players' fitness will play a key role in Barcelona's title push.

"These players are used to playing twice a week," he said. "The only uncertainty is knowing what's going to happen.

"We're coming off the back of a break and we're playing three games in six days, so we have to wait to see how they recover.

"We'll have to bear in mind that few players will be able to play it all."

There had been some questions raised over Setien's style of play before the break, with the team being whistled by their own fans, but the Barcelona boss is sticking to his principles.

"We're always going to try to maintain our idea and our philosophy, which is to be brave and have the ball," he said.

"There will be nuances but this situation really isn't going to change us.

"It depends on how the results go.

"I understand the tension that came about with playing out from the back.

"It's a feeling that we have ourselves as well.

"What [the fans] should understand is that this give us a lot more than it takes away.

"We have to improve that situation and we're trying to do it.

"We want to eliminate that small risk that transmits to the stands.

"It gives us a control that we wouldn't have in some cases."

There is a chance that fans could return to some stadiums before the season is out, but Setien isn't sure that's fair.

"I prefer whistles and a full stadium," he said.

"We all like to feel the heat of the fans [but] this should be for everyone or no one.

"It doesn't make sense to have a full stadium and another one empty, or all or none."

With his contract expiring in 2022 and presidential elections due to take place next year, some believe that Setien's job is on the line in the last few weeks of this season.

"I'm playing for the prestige of the club like Barcelona for these coming months," he said.

"I'm not important.

"I've been given a responsibility that I accept.

"Ahead of me is Barcelona.

"I am exercising responsibly that responsibility that has been placed on me. It's worth the redundancy.

"What I can say is that I'm going to use all the resources in the best way.

"Every coach is judged on their results. That's what the club and the fans value.

"No one always wins."

 

MARCA