Koeman praises Messi after Setien attack

COMPLETE SCRIPT TO FOLLOW

VIDEO SHOWS: FC BARCELONA SQUAD HOLDING TRAINING SESSION AHEAD OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST DYNAMO KIEV, FC BARCELONA MANAGER RONALD KOEMAN AT NEWS CONFERENCE SAYING LIONEL MESSI IS NOT DIFFICULT TO MANAGE AFTER FORMER BARCA COACH QUIQUE SETIEN COMMENT, KOEMAN SAYING HE EXPECTS TO PLAY WEDNESDAY'S MATCH DESPITE POSITIVE COVID CASES IN DYNAMO KIEV

SHOWS: BARCELONA, SPAIN (NOVEMBER 3, 2020) (BARCA TV - MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO)

1. FC BARCELONA PLAYMAKER LIONEL MESSI TALKING WITH LEFT BACK JORDI ALBA AS THEY ARRIVE FOR TRAINING SESSION

2. PLAYERS ARRIVING FOR TRAINING SESSION

3. PLAYERS GATHERED

4. VARIOUS OF FORWARD ANSU FATI RUNNING THROUGH LINE OF PLAYERS AS THEY TAP HIM

5. VARIOUS OF COACH RONALD KOEMAN TALKING TO PLAYERS BEFORE TRAINING

6. FC BARCELONA MANAGER RONALD KOEMAN ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FC BARCELONA MANAGER, RONALD KOEMAN, SAYING:

"For me Leo is a very good player, for me he's the best in the world and I can see his daily ambition, I think his winning character talks for itself. He is not a player of the team I have difficulties managing. I think every coach has a different character, for me he's the captain and I talk to him every week about pitch and dressing room issues to have a good relationship, so I do not agree with him (former Barca coach Quique Setien saying Messi was difficult to manage). But everyone can have their own opinion, I see things differently but I respect Setien and what he has experienced. If he thinks that way, for him it is like that."

8. MESSI RUNNING WITH BALL

9. MIDFIELDER SERGIO BUSQUETS RUNNING

10. MESSI WALKING WITH BALL

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FC BARCELONA MANAGER, RONALD KOEMAN, SAYING:

"We have spoken (with UEFA) and we know that (Dynamo) Kiev have problems regarding COVID. They did a test this morning and we have to wait for the results in the afternoon. I don't know the rules of UEFA, the only thing we have to do is to prepare the match and I hope we can play the match tomorrow."

12. GOALKEEPER MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN PUTTING ON GLOVES

13. TRAINING SESSION IN PROGRESS

14. FORWARD ANTOINE GRIEZMANN PASSING BALL

15. MESSI PASSING

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FC BARCELONA MANAGER, RONALD KOEMAN, SAYING:

"We also saw last week Shakhtar was without players because of COVID and they won against Real Madrid. So we can't expect a weaker team. I don't know exactly the people they are bringing but we have to respect them. They are a rival and a match where we have to perform well and win."

17. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS RUNNING AND PASSING BALLS

18. KOEMAN TALKING WITH STAFF MEMBER

19. VARIOUS OF TRAINING SESSION IN PROGRESS

20. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FC BARCELONA MANAGER, RONALD KOEMAN, SAYING:

"I think I have said it a few times what we are missing (a striker). But it will mainly depend on the economic situation of the club in January. So we'll have to wait but I don't want to force either because I came here being aware of the economic situation of the club."

21. RIGHT BACK SERGINO DEST RUNNING WITH BALL

22. MIDFIELDER FRENKIE DE JONG PASSING TO PEDRI

23. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FC BARCELONA MIDFIELDER, PEDRI, SAYING:

"I think he helps us in many ways (Messi) especially on the pitch with all the advice he gives. I think we have to enjoy him and he'll decide what he wants to do (in the future), but that is just his decision. We have to enjoy and learn from him."

24. VARIOUS OF TER STEGEN BLOCKING BALLS

25. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS WARMING UP

26. PLAYERS DRINKING WATER

27. TRAINING MATCH IN PROGRESS

STORY: Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman praised on Tuesday (November 3) captain Lionel Messi saying he's the best in the world after the Argentine was criticised by former coach Quique Setien.

"I think his winning character talks for itself," Koeman said at a virtual news conference ahead of Wednesday's (November 4) Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev.

Former coach Setien told local media the dimunitive playmaker was "not easy to manage" during his time as a Barca coach.

After six Dynamo Kyiv players and five members of staff tested positive for COVID-19, Koeman also said he expects the match to go ahead - and for it to be a tough challenge.

Barcelona are leaders of Champions League Group G with six points while Dynamo are third with one point.

Koeman cursed his side's profligacy after they drew 1-1 at Alaves on Saturday (October 31), dropping points for the fourth game in a row in La Liga. The Dutchman said the squad is missing a striker, but bringing in cover will depend on the club's economic situation during the winter.

(Production: Miguel Gutierrez)