SEVILLE • Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has rejected the suggestion that their shock 2-1 defeat by Valencia in the King's Cup final was the result of lingering psychological scars from their Champions League humiliation at the hands of Liverpool.
A month ago, things were going swimmingly for the Catalan giants. They had wrapped up the LaLiga title with three games to spare and there were genuine hopes of a first treble success since 2015.
But the Reds' remarkable four-goal turnaround in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final has soured their league triumph and that hangover extended to Sunday, with Barcelona blowing the chance to seal a ninth domestic double and their fifth consecutive Cup.
Admitting that his players "had been knocked off that (treble) path at the decisive moment", Valverde said: "We have lost, but not because of a psychological issue.
"It's different from the game (at Anfield) we played a fortnight ago, but we've lost again, that is reality, the feeling.
"We have not been able to fulfil our own expectations, we celebrated the league title, we thought we could make a treble.
"You're left with a bad feeling because we created that expectation and it has not been like that. We're here to win titles and not for anything else."
However, Valverde insisted he was still the best man for the job, claiming he still "felt good".
Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu also backed Valverde, who has a year left on his deal, to see out his final season at the Nou Camp, saying: "He's the coach. This defeat is not the manager's fault.
"We had a lot of chances, but the ball wouldn't go in. Sometimes, you have all the shots, but what counts is scoring goals.
"I wouldn't say the season's been a failure, but it's not been excellent either. Each year, we want to get to the run-in with the best chance of winning everything and in the end, we've lost two games, Anfield and here, and missed out on two titles."
However, the home faithful are no longer buying their excuses, with the #ValverdeOut campaign trending on social media and fans calling for his immediate sacking.
Gerard Pique also conceded in the aftermath that "the other decisions aren't in our hands". The defender told Catalan daily Sport: "It's always a good year when you win LaLiga, but the expectation was to have an even better year and that's not been the case.
"The season ends with a bittersweet feeling, because it could have been better. We're not worrying about the manager's future, we all have to analyse ourselves and try and improve."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Report Ad
Explore your Next Neighborhood like a Local & Find Homes You'll love on Trulia!
Football: Mourinho concedes Man United incapable of living
Angry Messi says son questions why Argentines criticise him. on Friday how he struggles to deal with criticism of his performances for Argentina's national team, saying that even his six-year
Angry Messi says son questions why Argentines - Football
* Everton rode their luck for a 2-0 home win over Bournemouth * Kurt Zouma broke the deadlock with a 61st minute header * Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed the win in stoppage time
Soccer-Everton ride luck for 2-0 victory at home to
Mohamed Salah completed a memorable day for Egyptian football by retaining his African Player of the Year award in Senegal on Tuesday 8. The 26-year-old Liverpool star finished first with club-mate Senegalese Sadio Mane and Arsenal and Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the other finalists.
Mohamed Salah retains African Player of the Year award
Stags stay true to playing style. managed to rescue a 1-1 draw against Hanoi FC in their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup Group F game yesterday. AFC CUP, GROUP F; TAMPINES ROVERS 1
Tampines beaten by Hanoi FC in AFC Cup, Latest Singapore
Guardiola stressed the need for calm during the title run-in, saying the quality of their Premier League opponents means there will be plenty of surprise results between now and the end of the
Pep Guardiola predicts roller-coaster title run-in after
Atletico The Greatest Threat To Barca's La Liga Hopes - Valverde. round of 16-second leg football match between FC Barcelona and Levante UD, at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on January
Atletico the greatest threat to Barca's La Liga hopes - Valverde
The Spurs boss said: "We'll see if it was a present at the end of my contract here (which ends in 2023). I will tell you if it was a present or to only give me the facility to drive.
Looking back on Ginobili's basketball legacy | NBA.com
Berlin: Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund have insisted Chelsea-target Christian Pulisic will not be allowed to leave in the January transfer window. File image of Christian Pulisic. Reuters According to British media reports, Chelsea are interested in the 20-year-old US international, but Dortmund, who want 50 million euros ($56.8m) for the
Chelsea target Pulisic not for sale in January: Dortmund
Manchester United has found its replacement for Jose Mourinho, at least until the end of the season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been named as caretaker manager, the club announced in an official
OLE's at the wheel - Man United fans Fulham away feb 2019
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his "confident" side could stage a Champions League fightback at Paris Saint-Germain this week after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Southampton on Saturday.
Football, bloody hell!' - Solskjaer's Man United miracle in
'Robust' security steps for Champs League final
(Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino remained defiant despite his side preparing for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Ajax Amsterdam in disjointed fashion
Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues
0 comments:
Post a Comment