Barcelona boss Quique Setien has dismissed suggestions that Antoine Griezmann has fallen down the pecking order at Camp Nou.
Griezmann was hauled off just before the hour mark of Saturday's La Liga fixture with Mallorca after failing to impress in the final third.
However, Setien has suggested that the France international's early withdrawal was purely down to keeping players fresh at the start of a hectic period.
At a press conference, Setien told reporters: "Griezmann is unquestionable. He has played since I have been here. There are more players now and we have to share out the minutes.
"Griezmann is a great footballer and he will continue to have protagonism because he is an important player for this club."
"What I need is to control and to study well because my interest is for everyone to be fresh when they go out on the pitch."
Griezmann has endured an indifferent first campaign at Barcelona, contributing just 10 goals and four assists from 34 outings in La Liga and the Champions League.
Darren Plant
