'It's possible that Messi will rest against Huesca'

"The league is coming to an end and that the points are needed. They play very high, high, risking and scoring goals because they have good players. That's why they have played and claimed points. The final few weeks are when the lower teams give it their all," he said. 

In addition, Valverde said there will be changes in the team: "This Saturday's game is dangerous. We have to be attentive. There will be changes. The schedule is very tight, intense games await us. 

He mentioned Lionel Messi: "It's possible to rest. I was talking to him, is well, but it was a hard hit. As if he was hit by a truck. We'll evaluate his situation.

"He's fine. It was a game of great intensity. We think he's doing well and he is showing it", he said, talking about Luis Suarez.

The Barcelona coach recalled the first leg against Huesca: "They have changed a lot, sometimes they play with five behind, sometimes with four... The match of the first round is no longer a reference". 

"Circumstances are what they are, it's possible that there will be changes, but we don't forget that we are 10 points away from being champions, no matter how much they think we already are. We still have to be competitive," he said of the situation in the league. 

Another issue he commented on was Diego Costa's sanction: "Of course, eight games is a considerable sanction, I will not deny it. I don't know why it's eight, I think it's four for one thing and four for another. I could have imagined the four games because it happened to Pique.

He didn't want to talk about the chances of a possible hat-trick: "We didn't talk about it. Last year we were at the same stage and we went on to win two titles. For now, we have to try and beat Huesca".