Setien: Will Messi rest? I try to convince, rather than impose Ibiza vs Barcelona Previewed Ibiza clash

Barcelona got off to a winning start under new coach Quique Setien on Sunday night, beating Granada 1-0 at the Camp Nou, and the 61-year-old has now looked ahead to the Catalans' Copa del Rey trip to Ibiza on Wednesday night.

As is often the case with new coaches at Barcelona, questions have been raised about whether Setien has the personality to say to Lionel Messi that he should rest for a match, which he explained during the Blaugrana's pre-match press conference.

"No one can escape who Leo Messi is," Setien said.

"With all the players, when I want something, I will try to convince them that it is the best for them.

"I try to convince, rather than impose. They usually end up listening to me."

The Ibiza supporters will no doubt want to see a full-strength Barcelona, which would include Messi, but Setien was hesitant when asked if their star player would feature.

"I have to watch the training session and take note of things," he stated.

"I have an idea planned, but I have to see what happens in the session.

"I'll look at the rest of the players and make a competitive and balanced eleven."

So, what is Setien expecting from Barcelona's performance against Ibiza?

"Tomorrow's game is a special one," Setien revealed.

"We'd love to repeat the game from the other day [against Granada].

"The idea is that we see the same things, regardless of who plays.

"As far as concepts and principles are concerned, we want it to be the same every time."

In recent years, Barcelona have dominated the Copa del Rey, winning it five times in the last decade, and the new Blaugrana boss has his eyes on lifting it this season.

"I always give importance to all the competitions," he explained.

"I always liked the Copa when I was a player.

"It's a very nice tournament and we'll try to win it. The objectives are clear."

Many Barcelona supporters are clamouring for a new signing after the long-term injury to Luis Suarez, though Setien is keeping a cool head.

"This is a subject that I still can't answer," he responded.

"We haven't worked anything out. There are issues that I think are also internal.

"With these things, it's better to not even ask me. That way we avoid wasting time."

Former head coach Ernesto Valverde found that there were too many players in the central midfield position, for example, so will Setien look to move anyone on in the final 10 days of this transfer window?

"As long as they're here, I'm counting on everyone 100 percent," he said.

"All of them are good enough for me and I'm not thinking about any departures right now."