Setien: We've talked for one minute about what's going on, but it doesn't affect me Barcelona Discussed Dembele's injury, too

Barcelona head coach Quique Setien wanted to simply focus on their upcoming Copa del Rey quarter-final clash with Athletic Club at San Mames, but naturally there was a lot of interest in what occurred on Tuesday night.

Sporting director Eric Abidal gave an interview with Sport where he criticised some of the players for not working hard enough under Ernesto Valverde, which provoked a public response from Lionel Messi on Instagram.

"Most things are important, but they don't affect me," Setien said of the Abidal and Messi comments from Tuesday.

"We've talked about this for a minute and then the game, how important it is.

"That's what interests me. I'm interested in football.

"Everything else, I can't control so I don't wear myself out [by worrying about it].

"I'm talking about football, which is what interests me.

"We'll try to not let it affect us."

Despite Setien's desire to simply discuss football, much of the focus of his pre-match press conference remained on Messi's comments.

"This is a situation that doesn't affect me," he stated.

"I focus on football. The only thing that interests me is giving the players the tools they need to develop what they have inside.

"I know there are problems at every club in the world. There are things that I will never be able to control.

"Please talk to me about football. I want to go to training and play good games.

"Everything else doesn't help me in my work. These are things that don't interest me, really."

Prior to Messi's comments, Barcelona discovered that Ousmane Dembele will miss the rest of the season due to injury, so will they look to bring in a Spanish-based player as a replacement?

"These are things that are pending, that will be talked about," Setien responded.

"We'll wait to see the exact diagnosis, how long he'll be out for.

"Once it's known, we'll make the decisions.

"I said it: I was very excited because I was sure Ousmane was give us a lot.

"It's a problem, a shame. It's all about finding solutions.

"We'll see if it's possible to sign someone, and if not we'll try to find a way to give the team the consistency and identity that this team requires.

"We will always look at things positively. This doesn't stop me from being happy."

Focusing on the quarter-final one-legged tie, Setien is aware of the threat Athletic Club pose, with the Basques having beaten Barcelona 1-0 on the opening day of the season, also at San Mames, while Valverde was still on the bench.

"It will be an exciting game," Setien acknowledged.

"Both teams will be going there with the intention of making it through the tie.

"We'll put forward every argument we can to be better.

"It will be a hard-fought, even game, where we will have the initiative and they will push us hard.

"We will have to be very attentive to many things. We'll try our best to end up on top.

"We know it won't be easy, but we're looking forward to it and are focused on getting through it."