Barcelona: Ernesto Valverde needs to get it right from the start against Real Madrid
Ernesto Valverde might have escaped embarrassment in the previous rounds of the Copa del Rey but it’s time for the manager to get it right from the start against their bitter rivals.
The trend followed by Barcelona in the Champions League has been extended to Copa del Rey it seems thanks to Ernesto Valverde’s first-team choices. Barcelona have been losing away matches in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the past few seasons. The Catalans have faced similar embarrassment in the Copa del Rey for the second consecutive time this season.
Barca were down 2-0 from the first leg against Pablo Machin’s Sevilla in the quarter-finals. The strikes from Pablo Sarabia and Wissam Ben Yedder had assured the team required another magical Lionel Messi performance in the second leg. The team delivered a top performance in the second leg but Valverde needs to reduce the dependency on the Argentinian.
Valverde had thrown the trophy under the bus by resting Messi for the Sevilla first leg. The 54-year-old was severely criticized for his decision. He did provide his part of the explanation saying he has the data of the players and recognizes what’s best for the team. This decision led to Carlos Alena, Malcom and Kevin-Prince Boateng all toiling in the attack. Moreover, he played Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba very late in the second half in an attempt to change the game.
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The defeats are past now and it’s expected that the Barcelona manager gets it right from the first minute against Real Madrid in the semis as they can’t rely on home advantage to save them in the second leg like before. Though the club from the Spanish capital have been off form this season after the departure of their former star Cristiano Ronaldo, El Clasico has always been an individual match and the form of the two sides rarely matters in these heated encounters. Barcelona thrashed Los Blancos 5-1 when they last met in the league.
Next. Barcelona could be without Ousmane Dembélé for 1st leg of Copa Clásico. dark
Valverde will need to play his strongest team when the two teams meet for their first leg at Camp Nou, although he could be without Messi and Ousmane Dembele. The winner in the semis will meet Real Betis or Valencia in the final. Therefore, after a 2-2 draw against Valencia in the last match, as well as a 4-3 loss to Betis earlier in the season, it’s evident that the Catalans have a tough task on their hands to win the Copa del Rey. However, the squad has the depth to compete on three fronts.