‘With A Few Snipers From The Stand’ – Las Palmas Boss Reveals Plan To Stop Messi

Las Palmas boss Quique Setien joked that only “snipers from the stands” can stop Lionel Messi as he prepares to host Barcelona.

The Catalan giants are fighting for the La Liga crown with bitter rivals Real Madrid, who also have a game in hand.

Stopping Messi from scoring is one of the hardest task in football and Setien acknowledged it.

Leo has already scored 35 league goals this season – with 51 strikes in all competition to his name.

When questioned how he plans on containing Messi and Barca – Setien told reporters: “With a few snipers from the stand.

“When these players are in their best form they are unstoppable, and when they are together, Messi, Neymar and [Luis] Suarez multiply their effectiveness and no one can stop them.

“Let’s see if they fall asleep a little during the game, which is the only thing we can really hope for.”

The Blaugrana clash will be Quique Setien’s final home game as he is set to leave the club at the end of the season.

He added: “I know that Barcelona are fighting for the league, but to me nothing would be more satisfying than giving our fans a bit of joy.

“I would finish happy if we can win or get a draw off the back of a good performance. For me it is a special game, I would like the team to win.

“The reality is, and I accept that, some fans do not consider that I have done my work as I should, and I will take this criticism with humility. I will always remember this island.

“I leave with the recognition of the vast majority and the satisfaction that the team has played well to achieve things that many years ago this club were incapable of, and that’s what I will remember.”

Las Palmas are 14th in the league – 12 points clear of the relegation zone with just two more games to play.