The players are far from blameless, but the 4-4-2 system Valverde plays doesn’t suit the team, and the performances for a lot of the season have been dreadful. Why is 33 year old Iniesta playing on the wing? Why is Dembele constantly benched when the team already lacks pace? Why does he never rest certain players despite the league being over ages ago? Why does Gomes keep getting on the pitch?
I despise his persistent cowardice and his stifling system. None of the players have really improved under him, and he has done literally nothing to integrate any youth players. Messi has saved his blushes all season.
Everyone could see Roma’s second and then third goal coming, but Valverde waited for the inrevitable to happen then brought on his subs with 5 minutes to go, which is the only time in the game the team showed any impetus. Too often the team tries to stroll through games and it was their undoing today. Roma played with energy, passion and quality and deserved to go through. Embarrassing result though.
I wanted Valverde to walk before the game. He definitely needs to walk now.