Ronald Koeman has decided to rest Lionel Messi for Barcelona's game against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday but his counterpart, Mircea Lucescu, believes that the Blaugrana are a strong side even without their captain on the pitch.
The Romanian coach stressed that a starting line-up without Messi will be more compact in defence although the Argentine can take the team to another level when he starts.
"Barcelona are Barcelona," Lucescu told the press. "Of course, Messi's presence gives them an advantage on a skill and attacking level.
"But his absence will make them play with a better attitude in defence. We want to win tomorrow. For us, victory is very important."
Lucescu went on to stress that the rumours surrounding Messi's future have affected Barcelona who are a new team with a new coach in the dugout and, as a result, need time to gel.
"Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world," Lucescu added. "They are not going through their best moment. The Messi case creates an atmosphere of nervousness at the club.
"New strategy and new connections between players. Everything needs time."
When asked if Dynamo Kiev can emulate Atletico Madrid, who beat Barcelona last Saturday at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, Lucescu stressed the Ukranian side's obvious differences with Los Rojiblancos.
"They are different teams," Lucescu noted. "Atletico paid 120 million euros for a player. That speaks volumes of their squad's level.
"Diego Siemone has been there for seven years. That's a lot. It is very possible that this season he will win LaLiga Santander."
Source: m.allfootballapp.com