Madrid (AFP)

"Brilliant": thus qualified the trainer of FC Barcelona Quique Setién, Tuesday in press conference, the reconnection with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez of the French striker Antoine Griezmann, shunned during the poster against Atlético Madrid the June 30 (2-2).

"There were times when they already found each other well. The other day (Sunday at Villarreal, 4-1), it was brilliant, they concluded the actions either by goals or by bringing But the reality is that it doesn’t happen like this continuously, "said Setién on the eve of the derby against Espanyol Barcelona on Wednesday (8:00 p.m. GMT) for the 35th day of Liga.

Against his former club, Atlético Madrid, on June 30, Griezmann, substitute, did not enter until the 90th minute. A tactical choice which caused a scandal in the Spanish press, on which Setién explained himself with the French world champion the next day, without however apologizing to him.

"The other day, he had an extraordinary intervention. Griezmann has the capacities and the qualities sufficient to show his level like the other day (Sunday). He had a moment of extraordinary inspiration, where the three attackers very well understood, "praised the technician, in reference to the magnificent goal of Griezmann, excellent alongside Lionel Messi (2 assists) and Luis Suarez (1 goal), Sunday during the success at Villarreal (4-1).

With an attack trio "MSG" back to its best level, Setien still believes in the La Liga title.

"Of course we can win it! Reality proves it, mathematics too. It's not easy, but you have to keep hope until the last day and not think about what your opponent can do, but to what we can do. That’s to win all the matches ... And if it’s not for this competition, everything we do will serve us for the next one, "assured the technician.

Four days before the end of the championship, Barça, 2nd at four points from Real Madrid (77 pts), resumed colors Sunday at Villarreal, and contested Wednesday (8:00 p.m. GMT) the derby against Espanyol, almost already condemned to lowering.

Frenkie De Jong (right calf), Samuel Umtiti (left knee), Sergi Roberto (right hip) and Ousmane Dembélé, still in recovery after his injury to the right thigh, will miss this game.

© 2020 AFP