Argentine forward, Lionel Messi has backed Ernesto Valverde to continue as manager of Barcelona, despite the UCL disgrace against Liverpool.
In a recent press conference, Messi said the Liverpool defeat was as sad as the loss during the World Cup final with Argentina in 2014.
He also described his performance vs the Reds as “lamentable.”
His words, “It was a huge blow which we received at Anfield — me and all the dressing room felt it,”
“It was tough to get back up. I think you saw that in the next game we had to play [against Getafe].
“The image of the team was lamentable. It’s left a huge stain [on the season]. It can happen once [against Roma last year], but it should never happen in back-to-back years — not when you have the chance to be in a European final.
“After [Liverpool] scored the second goal, we didn’t compete. You can make mistakes in any game, but what we cannot have is a situation where we didn’t compete. No one should beat us for attitude.”
“I haven’t seen much of the criticism of the manager, but I honestly think he has done an impressive job since he’s been here,”
“He was hardly to blame for anything against Liverpool. We, as the players, are to blame. We couldn’t let what happened the year before against Roma happen.”
“The World Cup final is the biggest game there is, and it’s a huge disappointment to lose it. But it’s another thing to go into a game with a 3-0 lead and see it overturned. They’re both huge blows. I think this one is a little more exaggerated because we had the advantage. You don’t expect it.”
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate