Barcelona

Ernesto Valverde: 'Barcelona do not need to alter tactics'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 10 January 2018

Valverde: 'Barca don't need to alter tactics'

Ernesto Valverde says that "things are going to be very similar" in terms of tactics, despite the arrival of Philippe Coutinho and the return of Ousmane Dembele.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has insisted that he does not have to change formation to accommodate club-record signing Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian playmaker must wait to make his debut for the Catalan giants, having been ruled out until early February with a minor injury following his £142m arrival from Liverpool.

Valverde now has some time to consider how he will shoehorn Coutinho into his side, while previous record purchase Ousmane Dembele is also back in contention after a three-month layoff, and the Spanish coach does not expect to tinker with his tactics.

"Coutinho can't play yet, Dembele can play on both sides, but regardless of small changes things are going to be very similar," he told reporters.

"Coutinho is a player we think can help us. Each player is different and brings something new. He scores, he can shoot. He can play inside or outside and we hope he can contribute and help us to be better.

"It's a coach's job to speak about his team. We're competitive, in three competitions, at the greatest club in the world. We're always trying to win and make our fans happy. We think our players are the best, that's the way it is."

Barca return to action on Thursday evening with a Copa del Rey last-16 tie against Celta Vigo, with the score locked at 1-1 following last week's first leg at Balaidos.