MX23RW : Friday, February 7 09:51:41| >> :60:226:226:
[monks data]
Attendance: 67,023
Barcelona logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 5, 2019 at 5.55pm UK
 
Slavia Prague

0-0

FT

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde: "We know there is a lot of pressure"

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde:
© Reuters
Barca failed to score at home for the first time since February 2018.

Ernesto Valverde says he understands why some Barcelona supporters whistled his team following the disappointing goalless draw with Slavia Prague in the Champions League.

Barca would have taken a major step towards the knockout stages of the competition with victory at the Nou Camp.

But Valverde's side, who struck the woodwork through Lionel Messi, were unable to break down the Czech champions in a game which saw both sides have goals disallowed for offside.

The stalemate followed Saturday's surprise 3-1 loss at Levante to increase the pressure on head coach Valverde.

"It's OK for people to demand (more)," said Valverde after the game, according to Marca.

"You always like to win. Today, the truth is that we have not been right (when it has come to converting the) clear chances that we have had.

"They, without creating clear opportunities, caused danger when they stole the ball from us because they came out very fast against us (on the counter attack).

"We couldn't convert the dominance we had into opportunities."

Barcelona remain top of Group F, although Borussia Dortmund reduced their advantage to a single point later on Tuesday evening by coming from two goals down to beat Inter Milan 3-2 in Germany.

After two poor results, Valverde admits his team must quickly respond, starting with Saturday's LaLiga game against Celta Vigo.

"The other day we lost against Levante and we understand that it wasn't one of our best games," he added.

"Neither that one nor today's. We haven't played two perfect games and we know that there is a lot of pressure towards the team and we have to bounce back."

A frustrating evening for the Spanish champions was compounded by an injury to left-back Jordi Alba, who had to be substituted just after half-time.

"Jordi has a hamstring problem and we'll see what the doctors say," said Valverde.

The match was the first time Barcelona failed to score at home in any competition since February 2018.

Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar twice saved from Messi and also repelled a powerful header from Gerard Pique.

Defender Pique called for patience from fans and is not overly concerned by the current situation at the club.

"I've been at Barca for many years and when people want things to go better than they are then there's criticism," said the centre-back, according to UEFA's website.

"We'll try and sort things out, to improve, but it's time for a cold-blooded, calm-headed analysis.

"We are leaders in the league and in this group. We can improve the play and the results but things aren't that bad.

"I'd just ask the fans to show us some patience. We are giving everything to find the way to improve our play."

Slavia keeper Kolar said: "It is hard to believe that we managed to get a point here, a very precious point.

"If somebody told me that I would not concede a goal, I would think they had gone mad! Barcelona had scored against every team here this season."

ID:377583: cacheID:377583:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7051:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet pictured in October 2018
Read Next:
Lenglet: 'Barcelona players must accept criticism over form'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool870121
QInter Milan861119
QBarcelona861119
QArsenal861119
QAtletico860218
QB. Leverkusen851216
QAston Villa851216
QLille851216
9Real Madrid850315
10AC Milan850315
11Atalanta843115
12Dortmund850315
13Bayern850315
14PSV842214
15Benfica841313
16Feyenoord841313
17PSG841313
18Monaco841313
19Brest841313
20Juventus833212
21Celtic833212
22Man City832311
23Sporting Lisbon832311
24Brugge832311
25Dinamo Zagreb832311
26Stuttgart831410
27Shakhtar82157
28Bologna81346
29Red Star82066
30Sturm Graz82066
31Sparta Prague81164
32RB Leipzig81073
33Girona81073
34Salzburg81073
35Slovan Bratislava80080
36Young Boys80080


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!