Football
Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent 7y

Las Palmas' Quique Setien would prefer to face Neymar, Andres Iniesta

Las Palmas coach Quique Setien said he would rather have faced a Barcelona side featuring Neymar and Andres Iniesta on Saturday because they offer less of a physical presence than Arda Turan and Andre Gomes.

Luis Enrique rotated his team for the visit of the Canary Islanders at the weekend and his decision was verified courtesy of a comprehensive 5-0 win at Camp Nou.

Gomes set up the first goal and Turan scored the fourth, but it was Barcelona's work off the ball which most impressed Luis Enrique -- a facet of their play which didn't go unnoticed by Setien.

"I would have preferred Neymar and Iniesta to play," he said in an interview with Radio Barcelona.

"They're two great players, but they don't have the physical consistency that Andre Gomes and Arda have. Those two commit themselves so much in defence."

Setien was particularly impressed with Gomes, who has received mixed reviews since joining Barca from Valencia in a deal which could eventually end up costing €55 million.

The 58-year-old is taken with the Portuguese's mix of physicality and technique and feels his presence in the team could be the key to getting the best out of Sergio Busquets.

"Andre Gomes surprises me more every day," he added. "There's a huge difference between the dejected player that played for Valencia and the Andre Gomes at Barca.

"Maybe he doesn't have the quality of Iniesta, but he's a footballer who can do very well at Barca, like all those that run [a lot] and know what to do with the ball.

"Players with so much quality, generally speaking, are associated with not running a lot, with not being aggressive... Andre Gomes [does those things] and can be the ideal complement for other players in the middle of the pitch that may be weaker.

"Ask Busquets what he thinks when Andre Gomes plays. Busquets has to do 30 or 40 metre sprints to cover the ball. At that rate, I don't know how long he can last... his committment is exemplary.

"Busquets wants people like Andre Gomes by his side. People that commit themselves to helping, closing down and covering."

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