Even though Barcelona are leading the table in the league and the Champions League, there’s a sense of ‘restlessness’ at the club, claims Thursday’s edition of AS.
The Catalan club lost to Levante and then had to settle for a goalless draw against Slavia Praha at the Camp Nou on Tuesday. After the Champions League tie, a large number of home supporters expressed their frustration by whistling.
AS claims these whistles demonstrate the state of ‘restlessness’ in ‘the Barcelona environment’. Their game has been criticised by the local media and they are pinpointing Ernesto Valverde as one of the main reasons behind this.
The former Athletic Club Bilbao manager’s position has been questioned since the last season’s elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Liverpool.
Summer signing Antoine Griezmann and his compatriot Ousmane Dembélé have failed to shine, and that’s been another issue for Valverde and the La Liga winners.
Barca’s board have not made a public statement on Valverde despite the fact president Josep Maria Bartomeu has been ‘displeased’ with his side’s performances in several fixtures.
The players are backing Valverde in public, but are aware they need to improve.
Barcelona host Celta Vigo before the international break and anything but a win at the weekend will only make it worse for the Spanish champions and their manager.
