Ernesto Valverde: 'Betis will want possession, too'

Barça manager Ernesto Valverde spoke to reporters following Saturday’s training session, around 24 hours before his team hosts Real Betis at Camp Nou in matchday 12 of La Liga.

Here are the highlights of what he had to say:

On Betis:

“Betis will be looking for possession, too.”

On the return of Messi and Umtiti:

“It’s great news for the team because they are two players who bring a lot to the table.”

On Jordi Alba:

“He’s been improving in a lot of areas and is very involved within the team. He’s having a great start to the season and his being selected for national team duty is a testament to his hard work. It’s well-deserved.”

On the absence of Ousmane Dembélé from the squad list:

“He has incredible talent. He’s a great player and we hope he can help us next time.”

On Clément Lenglet:

“Players who arrive here have to adapt to the team, and it’s not easy. Even less at his position, because we’re a team that plays with a certain level of risk. Lenglet is very focused on our way of playing and we’re very pleased with him.”