Setién: “It has not crossed my mind that it will be my last game”

Quique Setién appeared before the media at a telematic press conference in the preview of the second leg of the round of 16 against Napoli (1-1 in the first leg). It was the first time that the Cantabrian coach had spoken since the end of LaLiga. These were his impressions.

Do you think the team has cleared its head these days?

Yes. The feelings from the last game were positive and as some players and myself said we needed a break because so many games in a row tired us. We have had enough time to cleanse ourselves physically and come back with renewed energy that has allowed us to do good workouts.

Have you decided tomorrow's eleven, Sergi Roberto will play in the middle?

The line-up is quite decided days ago. The position of some players may vary depending on the circumstances, but the line-up is decided.

Beyond the future of the team, is your future at stake?

How I knew they were going to ask me this question. The possibility that this is my last match has never crossed my mind.

During the season we have talked about discrepancies with players regarding the chances of winning the Champions League. Do you think there is a template to undertake with guarantees what remains of the competition?

This you never know. It is true that sometimes having all the options is better because you can choose. This is not the case and we must have players from the subsidiary who still have to help us. The circumstances that have arisen are what they are, I cannot change them.

Have you talked to Arthur?

I spoke with him before he left, as with everyone, and the reality is that I have not spoken with him again. All I have been able to know is through the club. The situation transcends my position. I wish this had been different, I can't say more.

Did you ever think of summoning Dembélé?

We have been thinking about that possibility, but unfortunately in the training sessions he has done with the group there are few and we were going to take a big risk. He's not in great confidence yet either. The best decision is not to take him because we thought he could play for a few minutes, but we will see him starting next week. He will come to Portugal for sure.

How would you analyze Naples?

It is a team that has improved a lot. It has many records, it has improved many aspects. They are one of the teams with the most possession in the A series. They defend very well and know how to attack and do damage. It is true that we have studied it thoroughly, we have anticipated situations and we will try to minimize the great moment of form in which it is. We will try to be protagonists. They have really good players and it's a great team.

And what worries you most, the con? Will he play defense of three?

We have been thinking about everything, evaluating which was the best option. And in the end we have taken a variant that does not mean that we cannot change. And it is a team that can hurt us.

Do you see Ansu and Riqui prepared for this match?

They are two players who are fit. If they start, they will do so with all the guarantees.

How do you rate the work of the affiliate players?

We had some problems at the beginning because some suffered injuries and we had to bring in others who had trained less times. But we have seen them and we have drawn conclusions about what they can contribute in case of need.

How has Barça improved since February?

… I have already answered that question. There have been many moments when we have done things well and, as I said, what is missing is to maintain them over time and have continuity.

Is it possible for Barça to defend itself with the ball?

The best of all, without a doubt, would be knowing how to read the moments of the matches. When you have to have the ball, have it, when you have to defend, defend. You have to choose the moments of each game well. If we keep it, we will have fewer chances of scoring a goal. But we are not going to give up being vertical either. We will try to be as defensive as there is to be when the opponent attacks. This team has not lost its identity. We have all heard about Barça's DNA and philosophy. Since we arrived, we have tried to recover some things that we believe in and that are in tune with Barça. And we are satisfied with what we have achieved in some facets of the game. There are others in which it has cost us. But we are in the process.

Is the team lacking level to compete against European level teams?

You can be sure that we have worked well, but I do not own wins or losses. We do everything to win. That, quiet is said. Then the marker is what it is. But of course we do everything we can to do things well to win.

Have they worked on the psychological aspect?

Of course, we try to work everything, talk to the players to put them in the best disposition. The reality is that surely it is not necessary to look for that motivation that everyone is going to have, because these players have played like this on hundreds of occasions. They are great footballers, the lead we have is dreamlike. And the motivation is always with you and you hope to see the best version of all.