Barcelona, Valverde: "Inter have hit their best form. Dependent on Messi? It's expected"

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde met the media ahead of the Champions League fixture against Inter, where the two clubs will look for a victory to claim control of their group. With a Classico on the horizon and a big match in Europe upcoming, Barcelona will be without Lionel Messi, who is recovering from an arm fracture. Valverde discussed these topics in his press conference: "We know we are facing an opponent who are hitting their stride at the moment, with seven wins in a row. Inter has also been able to win in the final minutes, with great spirit. Whoever wins this match will sit on top of the table and so this is an important step in the qualification process. This will be a very important match. Messi's absence? We need to minimize the impact as much as we can. The layoff for his injury has been set at three weeks, but you always hope you can make it shorter. Dependent on Messi? I think that is something totally normal, since Leo is the best player I have ever seen before. Malcom? Just because he hasn't played much, doesn't mean he is on his way out."