'We must respond in difficult times; this is success or failure'

The moment of truth has arrived. The 0-0 scoreline from the first-leg is neither exciting nor alarming. However, the Barcelona coach feels that his men will give their all on Wednesday.

"We are a team that always responds in times of difficulty. It happened last year and this year as well. But we are talking about 90 minutes in which anything can happen, success or failure. Either you can lose a player in the fifth minute or your opponent. But we are prepared the threaten the oppostition's goal", he commented.

In fact, he spoke about this 'special feeling' which the Champions brings, this shine that he can see in his players. "All us coaches see it in our players when there are Champions League matches. Because it's more final, because there is more glamour. La Liga is longer. But in the Champions League the spotlight is on every match. You can tell there is a special concentration", he asserted.

The Barcelona coach doesn't want the scoreboard from the first round to create anxiety: "Who wouldn't feel that way in the round of 16, but we are solely focused on the football. We are focused on the game. If we create the same chances as we did in the first-leg we will win for sure".

Wary but not scared

Seeing how the Catalan coach responded, it seems clear that he doesn't want his team to think about what happened in Rome last year, nor what happened to Madrid against Ajax. "We are not affected by what happened a year ago. It has already been talked about enough", he said, clearing the air.

He expects a positive performance from his men on a magical night: "We are prepared for a good match knowing that we have our fans' support, to look towards scoring against the opponent and doing what we know how to do, try to win. We have to win no matter what".

He spoke about the French players, saying "they are a very powerful side from midfield through to their strikers. They know the danger of scoring away from home and they will be very dangerous", he added.

Doubts in the air

Speaking of his own players, such as Dembele of course, who could be a doubt against Lyon, will face a late fitness test.

"At the moment, we will see how he is and then make a decision. If he isn't fit, he won't play. We cannot risk changes in the match because the details are important", he stated.

Without Dembele, Coutinho, despite his recent poor form, is one of the other possibilities to join the forward triangle for this match. Talking about his form, Valverde stated that "how I manage my players is a private matter and we always try to be confident. We expect a lot from Coutinho", he defended.

With regards to Zidane's signing at Real Madrid, Valverde dodged the question saying that his interest is in making sure his players aren't distracted this Wednesday. "Every day this is talked about in football. Of course when teams like Madrid and PSG are eliminated it is important information which comes as a surprise. We respect Lyon a lot", he said.

On a lighter note

There were two comical responses in the press room at the Camp Nou from Ernesto Valverde. One was when a French reporter mentioned that Barcelona are sometimes a defensive team. "We are a defensive team and we will try to shut ourselves in well", he replied, with a smile.

The other came when a serious question was asked about the fans: "at the Camp Nou we ask them to score a goal [he smiled]. No, they are with us. They will be there and we have to make them push us even more. The team has to rally the people", he finished by saying.