Ernesto Valverde talks set pieces, away goals, Ousmane Dembélé ahead of Manchester United clash

Barcelona manger Ernesto Valverde spoke to the media before his team’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Here are some highlights from Valverde’s press conference:

On United’s danger from set pieces

United have a lot more in their locker than just set pieces. They are energised by what they did in the last round [against Paris] and in recent months. We want to get through and we’ll have to be wary not only of their set pieces, but their quality, their fans.

On importance of scoring at Old Trafford

We want to score away from home and we’re going out to win the game. In these situations you can’t speculate. You can’t think exclusively about defending or attacking. You’ve got to combine both. We’re confident.

On playing well in big games

We’ve responded well to difficult moments this season, in both La Liga and the Champions League. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but it makes us confident.

On Ousmane Dembélé medically cleared to play

We’ll see how he looks. This is not like the Lyon match, it’s not the second leg, it’s only the first. We forced him then and he got injured, and I will not run the risk of this happening again.