There are many legitimate criticisms to be made over how relevant Barcelonas ‘more than a club’ motto is these days, but what undoubtedly remains true is that the question of style of how Bara should go about winning is still more important than for any other team.Its for that reason Baras announcement earlier this week that Ernesto Valverde would be extending his contract as head coach was met with mixed reviews.
By renewing Ernesto Valverdes contract we are guaranteeing the continuation of a coach and person who so excellently represents the FC Barcelona values and our way of understanding football. Were sharing a winning project for Bara pic.twitter.com/wAaGeorjW5— Josep Maria Bartomeu (@jmbartomeu) February 15, 2019Virtually anywhere else, the decision to continue working with a coach who won a league and cup double in his first season, and is still on course for a treble in his second, would be seen as a no-brainer.But not at Camp Nou; or at least, not for a vocal section of the Barcelona support.
Lyon vs Barcelona is LIVE on talkSPORT 2! Tune into the Champions League round of 16 clash this evening from 7:30pm
The Blaugranas 1-0 win over Valladolid on Saturday will have done little to change the minds of Valverdes critics.Bara got the job done, taking a victory that ensured their lead at the top of La Liga remains comfortable, but it wasnt exactly a performance to tell the grandkids about in years to come. Peppered with moments of quality but at other times disjointed and lacking the zip on the ball Bara are known for at their best, the win was, in part, built upon individual excellence from key players like Gerard Pique, and also upon Valladolids chronic lack of quality up front; their ability to squander excellent counter-attack situations was often perplexing.
| GOAL! | Penalty Barcelona, Messi fires it home! The #LaLiga leaders are in front pic.twitter.com/fJ2To5W6kx— Eleven Sports (@ElevenSports_UK) February 16, 2019For much of the match Barcelona played with a number of second-string players, and it is hardly a revelation that Kevin-Prince Boateng does not deliver the same qualities as Luis Suarez, nor Arturo Vidal the same as Arthur.
4En lo tctico, est cado el Barcelona como equipo. La prdida de los impulsos individuales de Arthur ha terminado por confirmarlo.— David Len (@DavidLeonRon) February 16, 2019With Valverdes record in his 97 official games now extending to 66 wins, 22 draws and only nine defeats, that seems harsh to say the least. A near 70 percent win percentage is not achieved without a thorough grasp of tactics and a clear plan, even if they arent the tactics some would prefer.
4
4Question for Bara fans not happy with Valverde: who would you rather have and why?— Lee Roden (@LeeRoden89) February 15, 2019Of the few names that tend to be put forward, there is always at least one significant caveat to be added.Real Betis boss Quique Setin, for example, favours an exciting style of football but has struggled to produce consistent results from his top flight teams; Betis have not won back-to-back games in LaLiga since December.Home-grown options such as former Bara Juvenil A coach scar Garca or current B team boss Garca Pimienta tend to be founded in a romantic view that they can repeat the exceptional step up made by Pep Guardiola, but that likely wouldnt stop the knives from coming out should results not quickly be delivered to match the more palatable brand of football.Results are what Valverde produces better than most, and even if the displays may not be as consistently dazzling as Guardiolas team, or as electric as the best of Luis Enriques, the ridiculously high standards in the Catalan capital make the current side out to be far more simplistic than it truly is.
getty4
Spurs to launch £80m raid for Bournemouth attack duo Brooks and Wilson as part of huge spending spree amedpost 0 May 24, 2019 10:10 pm TOTTENHAM are eyeing an £80million double swoop for Bournemouth's Callum Wilson and David Brooks.
Report: Tottenham Hotspur eyeing £80 million double swoop for
Arsenal board slammed by Premier League legend over transfer 'madness' The Gunners hierarchy have been criticised for allowing star midfielder Aaron Ramsey to leave the club for free
Arsenal news: Fans identify Aaron Ramsey's replacement
Arsenal fear forward Danny Welbeck has a "very big injury" after he was carried off on a stretcher in the Europa League game against Sporting Lisbon.
Live Commentary: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting Lisbon - as it happened
Chelsea and Arsenal are now just hours away from facing each other in the Europa League Final on Wednesday. The north London rivals meet in Baku, Azerbaijan on May 29 for an all-English affair
Bournemouth defender Charlie Daniels has been ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery and is also expected to miss the start to the next campaign.
Daniels set for months on sidelines following surgery - Read
Chelsea v Sheffield Wednesday: Kick-off time. The FA Cup fourth round tie will get underway at 6pm. The FA Cup fourth round is live on talkSPORT Chelsea v Sheffield Wednesday: Team News. Gonzalo Higuain makes his debut for Chelsea and Callum Hudson-Odoi does start despite the speculation surrounding his future at the club.
Higuain makes Chelsea debut as Blues cruise in FA Cup
Liverpool news: Jordan Henderson says he will play centre-back against Bayern Munich if necessary The Reds are without Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren for the Champions League last-16 showdown at
Liverpool news: Fabinho set to play centre-back vs Bayern
MAURO ICARDI has been stripped of the Inter Milan captaincy amid Chelsea's interest in signing him - and his talks over a new deal in Italy. Icardi's wife and agent Wanda said last month that Inter were yet to offer the striker a new contract.
Mauro Icardi stripped of Inter Milan captaincy and refuses to
JERMAIN DEFOE reckons Rangers can reignite their title challenge by going unbeaten until the end of the season. The on-loan Bournemouth striker netted his fourth that saw Gers race into a 4-0
Rangers News: Jermain Defoe believes Rangers can stay
Luton have appointed Graeme Jones as their new manager and he will take over from interim boss Mick Harford on Tuesday. Former Belgium and West Brom assistant Jones initially rejected the
Graeme Jones Set to be Appointed Luton Town Manager
Leeds United are braced for a battle to keep hold of star forward Kemar Roofe. Three Premier League clubs have revealed their interest in the 25-year-old with bids on the horizon in January.
Championship transfer news: Leeds United could lose star-man
Report Ad
Free Shipping Available. Buy on eBay. Money Back Guarantee!
'Tottenham must be getting a bit worried' - Seaman predicts bad news regarding Real Madrid REAL MADRID's exit from the Champions League could spell bad news for Tottenham, claims Arsenal
Mauricio Pochettino takes huge pride in Tottenham despite
Fulham have been relegated from the Premier League with five games still to play after being hammered by Watford at Vicarage Road. The Cottagers needed to avoid defeat to put off their inevitable
~ Watford 4-1 Fulham: Cottagers suffer Premier League
James was sensational against Stoke City, Allen's club, in April where he scored in a 3-1 Swansea win. Norwich and Sheffield United secured the two automatic promotion places, as Leeds
0 Comments