Barcelona are repeating their biggest mistake once again

Both the players and the board continue to back the much-maligned Barcelona manager.

Barcelona suffered yet another comeback semifinal defeat. Only this time it was the hands of Atletico Madrid.

This, of course, sparked more debate about Ernesto Valverde’s immediate future at the club. Despite another frustrating defeat, his position at the club appears safe at least until the end of the season.

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Heavyweights in the Barcelona dressing room came out after the game and spoke to the media and publicly backed him.

Lionel Messi said,

"“Yes, there’s complete confidence in the coach. We’re already thinking about the second half of the season. We have a lot to improve. We’re top of the league, but we’re not playing well and we need to get back on our game.”"

Luis Suarez echoed similar sentiments.

"It’s not to do with us, it’s the club’s situation, but the manager isn’t to blame. Mistakes and certain distractions at certain moments cost us.”"

Both players were quick to lament that they were unable to hold the lead and that Atletico Madrid managed to turn the game around in 10 minutes.

Still, Valverde’s future was, and will be, a topic of conversation after every loss. Valverde himself is very aware of this and said as much when asked about it during his post-game press conference.

According to Sport, he said,

"“Coaches focus on working hard and giving everything. We know how football is. There is a permanent instability when you lose. You can’t control that. I focus on myself.”"

Mundo Deportivo report that Valverde’s job is safe and that the board do not plan on sacking him despite reports following the game that the club were holding a meeting to discuss his future.

A board meeting will be taking place but that meeting had already been scheduled prior to the game against Atletico Madrid.

Ernesto Valverde’s job may be secure regardless of what happens in La Liga or Champions League but Barcelona need to be planning for a successor.

His Barcelona side has gotten progressively worse from when he first took over and show no signs of improvement.

The loss against Atletico Madrid was just the continuation of a pattern where the team is unable to add to a lead, let the opponent hang in there and concede late. It happened a few weeks back against Real Sociedad and in their last league game against Espanyol.

Valverde can blame Frenkie de Jong’s red card, which he did, and use it as an excuse for the draw against Espanyol but he can’t use the loss of a player for the draw against Real Sociedad or the collapses in Rome and Liverpool.

He is running out of excuses and the board is running out of good things to hang their hat on and justify his continuance at the helm.

The core of this group is well past the age of 30 and this squad is going to need an overhaul. The same applies to its manager.