Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has explained his thought process behind bringing Lionel Messi off the bench in the team's 2-0 win over Alaves on Tuesday, with the forward leading the way in the race for the Golden Shoe awarded to the top scorer in European football.
The Blaugrana went ahead after two goals in quick succession in the second period, with Carles Alena netting six minutes before Luis Suarez's penalty on the hour-mark.
Despite being in a comfortable position in the contest, Valverde decided to bring on Messi for the final 30 minutes of the game.