MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 12:06:57| >> :60:3445:3445:
[monks data]
Attendance: 65,444
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 20
Jan 19, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
Granada logo

1-0

Messi (76')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Sergio Busquets refuses to compare Quique Setien to Ernesto Valverde

Sergio Busquets refuses to compare Quique Setien to Ernesto Valverde
© Reuters
Setien kicked off his reign at the Nou Camp with three points.

Sergio Busquets refused to be drawn on comparisons between former coach Ernesto Valverde and his replacement Quique Setien after Barcelona's 1-0 victory over Granada.

The Spanish Super Cup semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid 10 days ago prompted Barca to sack Valverde and replace him with ex-Real Betis coach Setien.

And the 61-year-old kicked off his reign at the Nou Camp with three points, his new side finally breaking their opponents down courtesy of Lionel Messi's 12th goal in as many games against Granada.

"There's no need to compare," midfielder Busquets told AS.

"Every manager has his own style and manner of seeing football. You'll see what Setien asked us to do.

"We won't be revealing what it was. We are happy with what Ernesto did and we are happy to have Setien now.

"It's better to have people up front and to press. There were moments in the game when we did that. We recovered it quickly and you have to grow and fight for everything."

Lionel Messi netted the winner for Barca
Lionel Messi netted the winner for Barca (Joan Monfort/AP)

Messi struck in the 76th minute, shortly after Granada defender German was sent off, to take Barca back to the top of LaLiga on goal difference.

Barca dominated the game throughout without creating many clear-cut chances until Messi's cool finish capped off a fine team move.

"It left some good feelings. We played solidly," Busquets said.

"We have control of the ball and we generated some chances. It's true that it cost us a bit when they retreated but in general the team played well."

Ricard Puig, a 20-year-old midfielder, was part of the move which led to Messi's goal after coming off the bench in the 71st minute.

"He has a lot of things to mature but you can see that he belongs here," Busquets added.

ID:386731: cacheID:386731:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5541:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
New Barcelona manager Quique Setien on January 14, 2020
Read Next:
Quique Setien: 'Managing Barcelona is a gift'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Villarreal177642928127
6Mallorca188371821-327
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
13Celta Vigo176382528-321
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia162591424-1011


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!