Real Valladolid boss Sergio insists Barcelona will field their strongest line-up in the league meeting between the two on Tuesday.
There have been suggestions that Ernesto Valverde’s side will field a rotated side due to their busy fixture schedule coming up, but Sergio has rejected this idea.
Barcelona did not play this weekend following the cancellation of their El Clasico fixture against Real Madrid this weekend, while Valladolid defeated Eibar.
Valladolid are currently on an unbeaten run of five matches and only lost both matches against the Blaugrana last season by a 1-0 margin.
“We are lucky that we know Barça, we all know how they play and how big a challenge they are for any team,” Sergio told reporters at his pre-match press conference, as cited by Diario AS.
“We know how Barça are, the potential they have and we have to raise our game and be well-drilled, structured and well organised – because they will have more of the ball than us.
“We need to devise a plan to minimise the pressure they exert on our defence and give ourselves as an out-ball.
“Maybe if they had played El Clasico after their game against Slavia Prague, then maybe we would go unnoticed – but they have had five full days to prepare for us as an opponent.
“We will face the best version of Barcelona, they will have a strong team out and our challenge is to compete with that.”
