Alba: “Messi is committed one hundred percent”

Jordi Alba appeared at a press conference to analyze the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 this Tuesday against PSG (9:00 pm), at the Camp Nou, and also reviewed the news of the Blaugrana team.

Is PSG the favorite?

“They are people's opinions. We must respect all kinds of opinions. We will see if they are favorites, better or worse. We have to prove it on the field and we will see who is favorite and who wins the tie.”

How do you see Piqué and how important is his reappearance?

“He is an important piece in the team, with a very important career in recent years, in addition to football because of the atmosphere he creates in the dressing room, this decision will be made by the coach, but there are important players with less experience than Gerard than him. they are doing very well. “

Do you think that what PSG is doing with the statements of Leonardo, Di María or Neymar about Messi is disrespectful? And are you clear about what decision you will make?

“If he had it clear, he would not say whether he is going to stay, he already said it in his day, the intention he had. Today he is 100% committed. From then on, hopefully we can win a title and decide at the end of What other players or other clubs say we do not pay attention to the dressing room. There are many opinions, people talk a lot. Leo will have the last word. “

The one who best understands with Messi on the pitch is you. Would it be a tragedy that Messi left?

“The decision he makes will be well thought out, well thought out. And the one that creates the best for him. I am better when Leo is on the pitch. The same as I think, all teammates think. With Leo we are much better and much stronger. Hopefully, for the good of all, Messi will continue at Barça for many years. But it is his decision. His idea and his mentality are to continue at Barcelona. You just have to look at the statistics he is adding this year. Leo will have the last word. when I touch “.

To what extent is it a relief that Neymar does not play?

“Yes. I am not going to deceive you. Personally, it is better that there are no players like Neymar. And also that of Di María. Both defensively and offensively they give their team a lot. But PSG have other great players. You have to be very attentive. We also have a lot of casualties but the people who are entering are doing well and that has to give us confidence. Hopefully we can take advantage of their casualties, because they are important. “

The season started irregularly, but in 2021 they go like a shot. It gives the feeling that Koeman is believed and that things have changed.

“The coach's idea has always been the same. New people came and it is not easy. Now we are in good dynamics but if we are not one hundred percent, any team can beat us. And being one hundred percent, we will also have Difficulty winning. With both new people and people who have been around for longer, Koeman is doing a good job. “

For those of you who were in 2017, is it a special match?

“We made a historic comeback, important for the club and for the fans. But this is a different story. And we will not have the support of the fans.”

Is playing out the round less important?

“Without an audience it is almost the same. The support of the fans for me is important. But hey, then we will see what is better. But he played like that.”

Do they focus everything on the Champions League?

“We are alive in all competitions. It is true that in the League the difference is quite large but we have been doing a good League for two months. In the Cup the result is negative but we will prepare it when it plays in our field and in the Champions League we are there, it will be a very tight tie. We know how difficult it is. The level is very tight in all teams. The team's illusion and what we all have to do is try to get Barça at the top and hopefully that is the case. “