Barça coach Ernesto Valverde cast his eye over Saturday La Liga opponents Málaga (8.45pm CET, Camp Nou) in his pre-game press conference on Friday at the Ciutat Esportiva. The blaugrana boss had praise for the Andalusian visitors despite their poor start to the campaign. “I have a lot of respect for Míchel [Málaga coach]. Málaga are not playing like a team who have just one point,” said Valverde.
The team from the Costa del Sol have a good record in recent visits to Camp Nou. “It’s something we have to take into account. Málaga have done well here with various coaches and that is something we have to analyse,” continued the Barça coach.
With 100 days as first team coach behind him, Valverde highlighted the squad’s commitment as key to his excellent start as Barça boss. “They are a tight group who are ambitious and they know what they want. That makes it easy for the coach.”
Asked about a possible treble this season, the coach was keen to keep things in perspective. “Our intention is to win everything as always, yet to do that we have to take everything in its own time,” concluded Valverde.
