Zubi: We love Montoya, but…

Andoni Zubizarreta admitted Barcelona 'love' Martin Montoya but insisted the full-back's omission from the first team was Luis Enrique's decision.

The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Camp Nou, a situation exacerbated by his agent's comments last week.

However, the Barca sporting director spoke of his affection for Montoya, as he also singled out Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi for praise.

"We love Montoya very much," he told Canal+ after La Blaugrana's 5-1 victory over Espanyol on Sunday.

"He has everything and always gives his best when called upon, but it's the Coach who makes the decisions.

"We don't care [that Suarez hasn't scored in the League yet]. He has a job not only to score goals.

"He creates spaces which Neymar, Leo or any other forward can exploit. At the moment, he's assisting goals.

"How many goals and joys has he given us now … he seems to have no desire to stop and enjoys his football.

"Not only does he score but also contributes to the team's play. Football and us are lucky to have him.

"We need continuity, intensity, rhythm, conviction … The match gave us a mountain to climb at 1-0 down, but we persisted with our game.

"Leo's goal at the last minute [of the first half] helped us a lot, and our play in the second half was decisive."

Zubizarreta then paid tribute to former Cule Zlatan Ibrahimovic ahead of Barca's crunch Champions League encounter with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

"I'm not surprised about Ibra. We know what a good player he is, and he's always liked and measured himself on the big stage," he concluded.

Tags Andoni Zubizarreta Martin Montoya
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