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.
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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.
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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.
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An arrest warrant was issued for Fernando Forestieri after he failed to appear at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Friday. The South Yorkshire club said the "arrest warrant for his failure to attend court will not now be pursued". The 28-year-old striker was facing charges relating to a post-match brawl.
Leno must start the final now. You can say what you want about Cech's integrity, but for the sake of both Arsenal and Cech he can't now begin in Baku - in fact he shouldn't even be in the squad. What would happen if he made a massive clanger in the final? Not everybody would think that it was an innocent mistake.
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At the end of the game we had to walk around the pitch at the back of the goal they'd kept all the Chelsea fans in. As I walked past they all started singing, 'Thursday night Channel Five'. It's
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Alberto Moreno will sign for Barcelona on a free this summer in a shock move, according to reports. The Liverpool left-back has fallen out of favour under Jurgen Klopp and is second-choice behind
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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sam Fuehring scored 18 points, including a layup with 2.5 seconds left, and grabbed X rebounds to help No. 5 Louisville beat 19th-ranked Arizona State 58-56 on Friday in the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout.
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Florentino is keen to make a €350 million bid for the winger, with a yearly wager of €45 million, making Neymar the highest-paid player ever, even ahead of Lionel Messi. Madrid was high on making a run at Kylian Mbappe, but they know the Frenchman is unlikely to leave his home country and would have to pay him even more money to convince
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