Ernesto Valverde: Double-winner and on course for a Treble, but the Barcelona coach is still not good enough for the critics

Ernesto Valverde: Double-winner and on course for a Treble, but the Barcelona coach is still not good enough for the critics
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, 2019

Virtually 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, 2019

For 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.4

Boateng completed a shock move to Barcelona last month

But the fans who long for the Bara football of old would argue that these days even a full strength XI is still too far away from the clubs positional-football identity.One extreme take on Saturday was that the reigning LaLiga champions are now ‘tactically lost’.

En 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, 2019

With 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

Valverde has had to deal with the lofty weight of expectation

And, crucially, the players are happy enough with the approach of their current boss for dressing room heavyweights to back the club’s decision to extend Valverde’s contract.The same squad veterans who have the benefit of first-hand experience of what it was like to play for the best Barcelona sides are perhaps more realistic about how difficult it is to repeat the levels of performance from those days than some fans are.4

Valverde has the support of his senior players, such as Lionel Messi

Even if disgruntled observers complain that Valverdes team isnt excelling enough, straw polls suggest his detractors are far less certain, however, about who could do any better.

Question for Bara fans not happy with Valverde: who would you rather have and why?— Lee Roden (@LeeRoden89) February 15, 2019

Of 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

Valverde has been forced to follow era-defining Barcelona teams – and the expectations that come with that

It is tempting to think that many of the purists are in reality simply swayed by one solitary result in particular – Barcelonas dramatic collapse to Roma in last seasons Champions League quarter-final.If Valverde can right that wrong and bring home the clubs sixth European Cup later this year – continuing with tonight’s visit to Lyon, which is LIVE on talkSPORT 2 – will the same critics of his Barcelonas style still be as vocal?

---

Liverpool vs Barcelona Fireworks set off outside LaLiga sides hotel on eve of Champions League semifinal clash Subscribe us to read more:

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored a last-minute winner in the 1999 Champions League final with Manchester United News Group Newspapers Ltd. It would mean the top three being joined by Spurs and Arsenal - both as top seeds - with United missing out.

---

Arsenal and Chelsea ponder Andreas Pereira transfer with Man Utd ready to sell. EXCLUSIVE: Midfielder Pereira has just six months left on his United contract and is set to hit the market in January
Man Utd Considering New 4-Year Deal For Andreas Pereira

---

ManUtd News - Snapper trolls Spurs for making spot Henry and Cole celebrated title a shrine. ARSENAL snapper Stuart MacFarlane has broken the internet by mercilessly trolling rivals Tottenham.
Gunners chief photographer trolls Tottenham over centre spot

---

Fifa Ballon d'Or - live: Lionel Messi wins record fifth Ballon d'Or Live coverage as Leo Messi aims for a record fifth Ballon d'Or, plus Coach of the Year, the Puskas Award and women's player of
Messi Makes Mockery Of Ballon D'Or Ranking - BetVictor Blog

---

Manuel Pellegrini lashes out at officials but heaps praise on West Ham after battling display against Manchester United admin Sports No Comments Manuel Pellegrini believes dubious decisions from the officials cost his side at Manchester United on Saturday evening.
Manuel Pellegrini lashes out at officials but heaps praise on
fussboll.com/2019/04/13/manuel-pellegrini-lashes-out-at-officials-but-heaps-praise-on-west-ham-after-battling-display-against-manchester-united/
Manuel Pellegrini believes dubious decisions from the officials cost his […] Manuel Pellegrini lashes out at officials but heaps praise on West Ham after battling display against Manchester United - Fussboll
Manuel Pellegrini Heaps Praise on Mark Noble After West Ham

---

Newcastle United 3-1 Southampton: Ayoze Perez treble helps Rafael Benitez's men get past struggling Saints Curated post A hat-trick from Ayoze Perez all but secured Newcastle's Premier League status for next season as they survived a second-half fightback from Southmapton to win 3-1 at St James' Park.
Newcastle United 3-1 Southampton: Ayoze Perez treble helps

---

Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola doubts

---

Gerrard shrugs off abuse from spectators insists he will not let the bigots get under his skin after becoming the latest manager in Scotland to be faced with sectarian chants. The Rangers boss
Gerrard shrugs off secterian chants | FollowFollow.com

---

Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic celebrate Man Utd's Champions League win at PSG "I love it, I am so happy, I am so happy," says United legend Eric Cantona at the Parc des Princes
Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester United: Jesse Lingard and

---

The lead was doubled almost immediately when Pulisic's clubmate Jadon Sancho fed the attacking full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right wing.Julian Green tested Pickford from distance, Pulisic remained bright in attack, and Bobby Wood had a couple of opportunities which he couldn't take, but England had the final say when Wilson turned
Raheem Sterling - ProSoccerTalk

---

Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard have handed Manchester United a major injury boost with both poised to return earlier than expected, according to the Mirror.. Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ruled the pair out for three weeks, however, a groin problem for Martial and a hamstring issue for Lingard-are not as bad as first thought.
Man Utd news: Injury boost as Lingard and Martial arrive for

---

Inter Miami, the newest expansion team of the MLS owned by a business consortium headed by David Beckham, is all set to join the league in 2020. As a result, they have already been eyeing up potential franchise players to kick things off with a bang, with Barcelona striker Luis Suarez reportedly the first to receive a sizeable offer from the club.
Google News - Luis Suárez - Latest

---

Maurizio Sarri has refused to confirm that Kepa Arrizabalaga will start against Fulham after being dropped to the bench for Wednesday's win over Tottenham.Willy Caballero took the Spaniard's place

---