Valverde: Motivation no issue for Barcelona against Celta Vigo

Barcelona heads to Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday, but Ernesto Valverde insists it will be motivated against Celta Vigo.

Published : May 04, 2019 00:27 IST

La Liga champion Barcelona will not be lacking any motivation when they take on Celta Vigo, according to Ernesto Valverde.

Barca claimed its second successive title by overcoming Levante last time out, and followed that triumph up with a 3-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of its Champions League semifinal on Wednesday.

Valverde's side travels to Anfield for the second leg on Tuesday, three days after facing Celta, who sit just two points clear of the relegation zone.

And with the title already wrapped up, Valverde confirmed there would be changes to his side, but insisted motivating Barca will not be an issue.

"We prepare for the game like any other, with the intention of adding three points," Valverde told a news conference.

"We come into this game after three weeks with a lot of effort and we are going to make changes because they are necessary. There will be changes and the team will be motivated, that I can guarantee.

"We have a good result for the first leg, but the tie is not closed, we know what Liverpool are capable of, although there will be time to worry about that game. I know that this tie will be tough, but you have to focus on Celta."

Despite acknowledging that he would take the opportunity to rotate his squad, Valverde dismissed that the changes would give Barca an edge over Liverpool, which faces Newcastle United on Saturday in what could prove a pivotal game in the Premier League title race.

"We both have games this weekend. They're playing for a league title, we've won ours already," Valverde said. "When we played at Camp Nou they had had a day extra rest. I don't think these factors are that important, maybe a slight advantage but it's no big thing."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment