I like how Messi, others are programmed – Valverde

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says he has been taken with how prepared Lionel Messi and his team-mates are to put in a shift following a magnificent start to the season for Barcelona, with a sixth successive victory coming on Saturday evening against Girona.

Whilst Lionel Messi had a rare quiet evening, his teammates picked up the slack against a Girona team that were never a real threat to their guests.

Few expected the Spanish coach to be able to get a handle on a squad full of stars so promptly, yet the former Athletic Club coach has pointed towards his squad’s desire to work hard as a key factor behind their success to this point.

“The spirit in this team is excellent. We are trying to be together in both attack and defence. What I most like about this team is that they are programmed to work hard.”