Ernesto Valverde Beware of Manchester United

DBasia.news –  Ahead of the Champions League’s big eight first leg at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s headquarters on Thursday (11/4) at 2:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time, Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona coach, was very wary of United.

The Red Devils are in declining performance after losing three times and have only won once in their last four matches in all competitions. The last defeat occurred with a score of 1-2 times against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

Compared to Barcelona, ​​which has the potential to end the season with a treble achievement (three trophies), Man United is non-seeded ahead of the first leg – although both are historic clubs and big European.

Barcelona were also in good condition and confidence following a 2-0 victory over rivals in the hunt for LaLiga title Atletico Madrid. Plus they have Lionel Messi and other quality players, naturally if Barca were seeded against United.

Nevertheless, Valverde did not want to be trapped in a statistical comparison or superior status. According to the 55-year-old coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s landing team is a strong club and can be troublesome for Barcelona.

“They (Man United) are a strong team. They went through a good period, even though they lost in the last game (against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League),” said Valverde, as quoted by Sky Sports.

“Physically, they are very strong and they know how to put pressure on their opponents. They have players who are physically very strong, and they can be dangerous also in terms of strategy.”

Valverde also wants Barca to end the record never winning at Old Trafford. “The match will be classic in European football. I think Barcelona have never won at Old Trafford and we will try to change it,” Valverde said.

Three of the Barcelona players now know Man United enough. Gerard Pique played for United in mid-2004-2008. Then, Phillippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez were once United’s opponents in England for strengthening Liverpool.

Coutinho added, he also predicted himself and also Suarez would be welcomed by intimidation, whistles, ridicule, from the home fans in the match later. Nevertheless, Coutinho admitted he was not afraid to face it.

“If they ridicule me and Luis Suarez, then that is normal because there Old Trafford is normal and also if we remember the team we have defended (Liverpool). But it will not make any difference to me,” added Coutinho.

“Even more than that, it was an encouragement to play better and be much more focused. I knew the game against Manchester United was special, I learned that all my time at Liverpool when we lived very intensely with fans.”

“I have it all (memories of playing in England) in my memory and, despite these different stages, if Barcelona get rid of United from Europe then it will be a personal satisfaction double for me,” said Coutinho.