Umtiti: 'The most important thing is that my knee is OK'

Samuel Umtiti and Lyon are certainly no strangers to one another, and ahead of Wednesday night's game against his former club, the centre back gave an interview to French sports daily  'L'’Équipe'.

"I felt very proud when I went back to Lyon (for the first leg), hearing the fans chant my name and seeing signs for me. It was emotional and means that people remember me fondly," explained the Barça defender. "It was strange to be on the opposite side to Lyon, and it would have been even more so if I had played in the game."

Umtiti was an unused substitute in the Champions League fixture, returning to the squad for the first time in 91 days following an injury suffered on November 24th.

"I'm happy to be able to play again," he commented. "It's the coach who decides whether I should play or not, but the most important thing is that my body feels good and my knee is OK."

Talking about the game itself, Umtiti reiterated that "A club like Barça have to win and go through. We have the necessary confidence."

Umtiti's trick for winning trophies

The Frenchman also revealed his unlikely secret formula for winning trophies: Spraying himself with aftershave at half time.

"It started at Lyon. Mamadou Diarra was training with the youth team and he sprayed himself, and I asked why he did it if he was going to keep smelling of sweat anyway. He said that he had won trophies thanks to that trick, so I've also done it ever since! I can't be the only one at Barça who does it, because we've won many trophies," he joked.