Problems should be solved internally at club, suggests Ernesto Valverde
Ernesto Valverde has backed his players to deal with the problems at Barcelona and solve any issues internally. Valverde's comments come after goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen’s he highlighted the current state and ongoing problems at Barcelona even adding that the team needs to change to improve.
Barcelona managed a thin 2-1 win over Slavia Praha in UEFA Champions League last week but the team’s intent and performance was highly questionable against an arguably weaker side. This forced Marc Andre ter Stegen to rightly criticize his team’s performance post the game. Ernesto Valverde has now spoken on the matter suggesting that the problems at the club will be solved privately by the coaching staff and players collectively, as reported by the Goal.
Valverde went on to say that too much importance is being given to the final stages of the game and Barcelona are being criticised more than deserved. He also added that if there is something wrong with the tactics or players on the field then it will and should be dealt with internally.
“When matches end, everyone leaves with an opinion of what happened on the field. Matches can be seen in many ways, and if we have to solve something, we will solve it with within the club and not publicly. When the game ends, people's impression is of the final minutes and they don't think about the overall game. In the first half of the Slavia game we had two or three chances on goal, they attacked and we did as well,” Valverde told the news conference.
"In the second half, they got an early goal and we managed to get the result we wanted in the end. They pressed us and that's it. If it had been a 4-1 win, we would be talking like we had the same result as in Eibar[a 3-0 victory]. This is football and it is normal."
The Catalans haven’t played a game since the clash against Salvia Praha as their match against Real Madrid on Sunday was postponed due to civil unrest in Barcelona. That did give Granada a chance to take the lead in the league table and the minows sit above Barcelona as the La Liga champions prepare to host Real Valladolid and Valverde is hopeful that the team will put a great performance.
“They have had a good run and against the top teams have got some good results. Taking into account last year's game [a 1-0 win for Barca] which was complicated, this is a game which we have many hopes for after the break this week. They have reinforced their style because they are doing well. I expect them to play like they have in recent matches. They will be solid and hard to overcome,” concluded Valverde.