Two results marked their season: a 4-0 defeat against Liverpool in the Champions League and the loss to Valencia with a score of 2-1 in the final of the Copa del Rey.
Barca may have won La Liga title in 18/19 season
Barcelona may have won La Liga in 2018/19 after having an 11-point lead over second Atletico de Madrid. Two results marked their season: a 4-0 defeat against Liverpool in the Champions League and the loss to Valencia with a score of 2-1 in the final of the Copa del Rey. May 25 spots the first anniversary of Los Che beating the Blaugrana. A defeat, which caused Ernesto Valverde’s work was hanging by a thread as it happened only 18 days after the elimination of the Champions League to Liverpool. This draw against Liverpool, which Barcelona won 3-0 at the first stage, was especially disappointing after a year earlier dropped out of Europe’s Premier competition similarly against Roma. Copa del Rey could not cover a wound the size of the Champions League. But it was introduced as an opportunity to bring some calm.
Messi and Pique would like Valverde to continue his job at Barca
Leo Messi and Gerard Pique, during a press conference before the final of the Copa del Rey, said that the players are responsible for the collapse, not Valverde. “I would like the coach to continue. Last year we took a double and this year we can do another one,” said Messi. “We are pleased with him in the dressing room,” added the Catalan center-back. But the double did not happen, as the goals of the first half from Kevin Gameiro and Rodrigo Moreno sent Valencia on the way to raising the trophy, even though Messi in the second half reduced the lead. Valverde seemed doomed, but despite this, he remained at the head. The dressing room was still behind him. “We would like him to continue, he did an excellent job,” Pique said after losing to Valencia.
“He is the trainer who led us to the trophy and can help us take more”. The last straw came after losing in the semi-finals of Supercopa de Espana in January. Josep Maria Bartomeu decided to ignore the dressing room requests and send Ernesto Valverde packing.