Mueez Ajao
Barcelona can win Champions League without Messi – Busquets
– Sergio Busquets admits that Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona came as a shock, but he is convinced that the Liga giants can compete for Champions League glory without the Argentine in the team.
– Barca’s loss has been their gain, but Busquets is eager to see everyone in Catalunya move on and find other ways of claiming major silverware without the South American superstar leading the charge.
– [According to goal] Busquets told reporters when quizzed on Messi’s exit: “It was a shock, for everything that Leo gave to Barca and personally to me.
– “It was an accumulation of emotions that were difficult to digest, but we have to try to change the story. We are at the beginning of the season and we’ll have to get used to playing without Leo.”
– “Anything can happen in football. Chelsea won the Champions League last season and were not favourites.
– “The important thing is the collective level and we know that we do not have Leo or his individual qualities. We are here, excited and aware of the difficulty, but we have a lot of ambition and we want to win.”
– Summer signing Memphis Depay has stepped up to that mark through his early appearances for the club, with two goals and an assist recorded across three outings, and Busquets admits that the Dutch forward could become the new main man.
– The Busquets also talked about the talented Netherlands international: “He has started very well, not only with goals and assists.
– “He arrived after having had a few very good seasons and has been a great signing. Hopefully he will be important in terms of goals and assists, but also in every other way.
– “He has connected very well with the fans and has adapted well. Frenkie [de Jong] and Luuk [de Jong] will make it easier for him. Players like this are always welcome.”
