In the wake of Lionel Messi's injury scare, Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova insists the forward is too committed to just watch from the bench.
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Barca are yet to reveal the extent of Messi's knee problem sustained in the goalless draw with Benfica in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League tie.
With the Catalans already through to the knock-out stages of the competition, the 25-year-old started the match at the Nou Camp on the bench.
He came on after the hour mark with the match still evenly poised, only to be stretchered off five minutes before the final whistle after a collision with Benfica goalkeeper Artur.
Vilanova has since defended his decision to play him on the night, with the Blaugrana boss quick to dispel talk that Messi being one goal off Gerd Muller's record of 85 in a calendar year influenced his selection.
"We talked about the possibility of him playing for 30 minutes. He's a player that likes to play," he said.
"He's not focused on breaking the record that everyone is talking about, if that were the case he would have played against Alaves (in the Copa del Rey last week) and the full 90 minutes against Benfica. Playing is part of his physical training."
Vilanova added: "Should we sub him out every time we're leading 3-0 in case he picks up an injury?
"We've never behaved this way. I'd make the same decision (to play him) seeing that he can get injured at any moment."
Meanwhile, the 44-year-old tactician reckons Barca's opposition in the last-16 of the European showpiece shouldn't have any bearing on their preparation.
"Whoever we play against will be a big team," Vilanova told the club's official website.
"The round of 16 is always complicated. We did what we had to do, we wanted to finish first and have that small advantage of playing the return leg at home."
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