Valverde: Grateful for no VAR…

Ernesto Valverde claims Barcelona and Real Madrid ‘would both still be playing’ if VAR was used in Sunday’s controversial Clasico.

Decaffeinated? None of it was, it had a lot of caffeine!” the Coach said after the game, which ended 2-2.

“It was a very intense match. We knew what these games were about and we all want to beat our opponents.

“We started the match well, but Madrid hurt us each time we lost the ball. The game was made complicated by the cards, and we struggled not to notice being a man down.

“Still, I appreciate the effort that my players made, playing with 10 for the entire second half and not against just any team but rather Real Madrid.

“We didn’t hold back going forward, even though we had to be very compact, line up with four at back and have another three in midfield.

“Instead, we could’ve won with Leo’s chance, which would’ve made it 3-1. Red card? You have to see everything on television.

“It’s strange if Sergi hit Marcelo in the face, knowing Sergi as I do. VAR? Luckily it hasn’t been implemented yet, otherwise we’d both still be playing.

“Pique and his guard of honour? He’s a box of surprises. His request was purely spur of the moment, but it went well. Ultimately the players made this happen. They deserve it.”

Tags Clasico Ernesto Valverde VAR
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