Barcelona News: Pique claims that the United clash will be complicated, Messi is not the only threat according to United's manager, and more - April 9, 2019

Hello and welcome to the daily roundup news for Barcelona!

With the crucial clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford only a day away, La Blaugrana players are cautious about the tie. While Barcelona has not managed to get past the quarterfinal stage in the last three editions, the Catalan side got the better of United in 2009 and 2011 and won the title.

Today's top stories features Gerard Pique, Ole Gunner Solskjaer, and more.

Here are the top stories of the day surrounding the Catalan giants!

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Gerard Pique on the clash against Manchester United

Pique is obviously one of the players enjoying a great season with the Blaugrana. The Barcelona center-back remains one of the most trusted men of Ernesto Valverde and is the mainstay of Barcelona's rearguard.

Pique hailed United in his interview, claiming that it will be a tough tie and the Red Devils are the most important club in England.

🔊 @3gerardpique: "It'll be a complicated game, but we're motivated to get a good result. Manchester United are the most important club in England." #MUFCBarça pic.twitter.com/q35Mc3cbqy

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 9, 2019

Speaking in a press conference, Pique said:

"It'll be a complicated game, but we're motivated to get a good result. Manchester United are the most important club in England."

"This is a very special match for me. I learned a lot in Manchester."

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Smalling relishes the opportunity to face Lionel Messi

Chris Smalling

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi is leading from the front and on his way to fulfilling the pledge he made at the beginning of the season. Messi is enjoying one of the best seasons in his glittering career.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has racked up 43 goals and 21 assists in all competitions. Messi is leading the race for European Golden Shoe with 33 goals and is also the joint top scorer in the UEFA Champions League with 8 goals.

Moreover, the 31-year-old Argentine genius is the leading assist provider in Europe and reminding us every day why he is still football's finest. Smalling claimed that despite all his brilliance, Messi is just one of several marquee players he has faced this season, and he relishes the opportunity to lock horns with Lionel Messi.

Speaking in a press conference, Smalling said:

“It’s something to relish, I think,” the centre-back said. “This season I’ve been lucky enough to face [Cristiano] Ronaldo [for Juventus], [Kylian] Mbappé [PSG] and they’re all challenges I think I definitely relish and I think players at this club relish. I say bring it on.”

Solskjær acknowledged Messi’s threat yesterday but stated it is not only him United should be wary of:

“What kind of plan can you have to stop one of the best players in the world? He is a fantastic player and he’ll go down in history as one of the best individual players ever. He’ll be difficult to stop but it’s never impossible."

“We can’t just focus on him, we know we have to play 11 against 11. As Chris says, we relish the opportunity, but this season we’ve played against Juventus and Ronaldo, PSG with Mbappé. We’ve had Chelsea and Hazard [in the league]. [Luis] Suárez, [Philippe] Coutinho and Messi will keep our defenders on their toes, so let’s see how we manage tomorrow.”

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Solskjaer on clash against Barcelona

Solskjaer claims his team has learned from the game against PSG

The Manchester United boss warned that United need to be at their best to beat Barcelona. United has lost three out of their last four matches and also lost to PSG in the first leg of the Champions League at Old Trafford. Solskjaer claims his team has learned from the game against PSG.

Speaking at the press conference, the United boss said:

“Some of these players will have some tricks up their sleeves, streetwise players. We’ve learned from that PSG game – the mood was a little bit different because they’d won so many games."

“But we’ve learnt from that PSG game. Players have talked about it – how we got dragged into making fouls, how European football is. You’ve got to be more patient in tackles. I can feel the tension, excitement. At training today and yesterday, you can see players wanting to play.”