The technical director of Barcelona did not give clues about the presence of Leo in the round of the knockout phase of the Copa del Rey. He also talked about how his opponent plays and his contract that ends in June.

The Barcelona will be measured on Thursday against Levante at the round of the second round of the Copa del Rey and Ernesto Valverde in a press conference did not want to give clues about whether Messi will be in the starting team and said: " I will not say if he plays because if I tell you, the rival coach will know. " For now, the Flea, who had not been in the first leg, is among the concentrates.

Levante got a 2-1 victory in the first leg and Valverde spoke about his rival's game: "It's a team that knows what it does at decisive moments, it has quality players, and I guess they'll try to be closer together, take advantage of their weapons. and to try to defend ourselves, we hope that there is a good atmosphere in the field and that people will help us in times of difficulty. "

"If we do not sign a forward, we will continue with what we have and with the subsidiary, we will see what happens, we are open to the market and the message is always to try to improve what we have, although there are players in the squad who can play in that position. without having the label of a nine classic ", said the coach to the question of whether Barcelona will buy another attacker

The Barcelona coach has a contract until June 30 and at the press conference did not dodge the question about his future. "When we have something to say, we will communicate, we must not rush in. I do not understand all this intrigue, I have always said that there is good harmony, I have a contract in force and the deadlines we have set are there.

THE BETS

After the surprise (for some) elimination of the team of Cholo Simeone, today Barselona has a difficult stop against Levante with one goal less on the scoreboard, seek with the strength of his public power to reverse the situation.

Personally he is always the favorite, although the result is against him, it would not be the first time that Leo Messi's team showed its hierarchy within the field of play.