Ernesto Valverde expecting ‘tough, aggressive’ Inter

Ernesto Valverde insists Barcelona are expecting a tough test as they travel to in-form Inter in Tuesday’s Champions League action.

The Nerazzurri have won their last seven Serie A matches in succession and face a Blaugrana who are expected to start with Lionel Messi on the bench.

“What do we expect? A rival similar to the one we met at Camp Nou, maybe more aggressive, with the intention of holding possession,” Valverde told reporters in his pre-match press conference.

“They’re doing very well and winning a lot of matches in Serie A, so we expect the best Inter.

“We’ll try to be aggressive and play the way we know. Inter will too, so we’ll need to be really attentive.

“It’s an important game for both of us and we’ll try to put ourselves in the best possible position to go through.

“We’re thinking about the present and tomorrow’s match, because we’re not through yet. Things are going well, but we’ve suffered in La Liga and the Champions League.

“The matches have been stretched to the end, just as Inter’s have been in Italy, and we’ll try to win again.

“We saw the 5-0 against Genoa, as well as everything they’ve done in recent weeks, and we’re ready for anything.

“Lionel Messi? We’re waiting for the results from the doctors, he could play, but we’re not sure. He’s showing positive things in training, but we won’t put him in a position to get hurt again.

“If I don’t talk with him then I can’t say with any certainty, but we certainly won’t take any risks with Leo.”

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