Ernesto Valverde: Samuel Umtiti is 100 per cent fit
The Barca coach says the French defender is ready to play this week
It’s a high-voltage week for Barcelona. Ernesto Valverde’s side faces Sevilla on Saturday, Real Madrid on Wednesday then Los Blancos again on Saturday. A mental puzzle for the coach to solve with regard to rotations. And Samuel Umtiti could return.
The Gerard Pique-Clement Lenglet duo are tight and performing well but the former Sevilla defender is only a yellow card away from a ban, which would see him miss Saturday’s Clasico.
More logical would be for Big Sam to play at the Sanchez Pizjuan, ensuring Lenglet can play against Madrid.
However Valverde was cautious when asked about the Frenchman on Friday.
“We think that Umtiti’s ready to start. Vermaelen is out injured, Lenglet has a yellow to go to complete the cycle. We all know the ability Sam has. The situation is what it is and we will see what day it is when he plays,” said Valverde.
Umtiti has not played since November and obviously isn’t at 100 per cent match speed.
Regarding Gerard Pique, it is much harder to see him rested, given that Jeison Murillo doesn’t seem part of Valverde’s plans, and Todibo is obviously not ready.
