Valverde warns one thing Barcelona must avoid against Liverpool

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde insists that his side cannot afford to think they are in the final already ahead of their Champions League clash with Liverpool.

The La Liga champions are taking a three-goal advantage into tomorrow’s semi-final second leg, but Valverde knows that Liverpool will be up for the game.

And the Barca coach is all too aware of the atmosphere that the Liverpool faithful could create at Anfield.

“If we start to think about the first result we had it will be an error,” he said. “We have to play as if there was not a game before. We have to play as if it were a final and the scores were level.

“It is going to be difficult. We have to be aware of the atmosphere here. We know the fans are going to be behind their side from the start.

“Every team has their own style and it’s always important to bring the game to your side.

“If a team puts you under pressure and tries to get you to play the way they want to play, that can put us in an uncomfortable situation.

“We want to have the feeling that we are in control. There is no doubt they will attack us, no doubt about that. We have to stop the pressure and stop them attacking us.”

 

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