Xavi praises ex-Barcelona boss Valverde ahead of Athletic Club clash
The Blaugrana will go against Athletic Club at Camp Nou on Sunday and it is expected to be the best game of the weekend in the Spanish top flight. Moreover, Ernesto Valverde will be present at Camp Nou for the first time since he was dismissed.
Xavi Hernandez
was pressed about the battle against Athletic Club at Camp Nou in his pre-match press conference and according to
Marca
, after being asked the first question, the Barcelona manager hailed the former Barca boss.
“Yes, I think it will be intense. They will be a difficult opponent, aggressive in recovery after loss, in high pressure… Valverde is more offensive than Marcelino. They will squeeze us. They work very well. I hold Valverde in great regard, for what he did here as well.”
Valverde previously managed Barcelona and delivered a La Liga title and lately, the Catalans ended a matchday top of the table for the first time since Valverde departed the club. Xavi continued to praise the former manager more with his warm words.
“We highly value what he did, from within. Valverde seems to me to be a spectacular coach. Without being shrill, without showing a bad attitude, faultless. An example. His work was excellent.”
Despite not being flawless while managing the team, Valverde was greatly successful and could deal with the problems way better that his successors.
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