Quique Setien has disputed Lionel Messi's claim that Barcelona cannot win the Champions League.
Club captain Messi admitted earlier this month his search for a fifth title was going to be futile unless Barcelona could quickly improve the standard of their performances.
"Now, everyone has their opinion and they are all very respectable," Messi told Sport .
"Mine is based on the fact that I was lucky to play the Champions League every year and I know that it is not possible to win it by playing as we have been playing."
The Argentine superstar added that Setien "misunderstood" when he arrived in the Barcelona hot set in January and immediately claimed the Catalan giants have the ability to win the Champions League.
However, the former Real Betis manager has stood by his original claim and insists Barca can clinch Europe's top prize.
"Messi's words I think have created a big debate," Setien told beIN Sports.
"We are convinced that we can win the Champions League. We have to improve some things, but without a doubt we are convinced that the team has the potential to win the Champions League.
"We can win it. We are convinced we can win the Champions League, of course we can."
Barcelona remain in this season's Champions League and await the second leg of their last 16 tie with Napoli when the season resumes.
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the Stadio San Paolo, with Antoine Griezmann equalising for the visitors after Dries Mertens' opener.
Elsewhere, Setien has guided Barcelona to a slender two-point advantage over rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
However, the 30-time winners crashed out of the Copa del Rey to Athletic Bilbao in February and suffered a disappointing Clasico defeat to Real in March.
La Liga is set to continue next month after being given the green light to resume from 8 June by the Spanish prime minister.
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
