Alcacer faces hostile reception from Valencia support

Striker hasn't settled yet

Posted Sunday, March 19, 2017 by Marca.com

It is widely accepted that, as of late, Valencia supporters have been given somewhat of a raw deal with all the promise of Peter Lim's riches failing to benefit a team that has seen its stars leave - Paco Alcacer is one such individual and will face a hostile reception from Valencia fans at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Alcacer left Valencia at what seemed like the perfect moment, he had given his boyhood club six years of service whilst establishing himself in the Spanish national setup.

Few find it possible to reject the overtures of Barcelona and the 23-year-old was no different as he joined Andre Gomes in swapping Valencia for Catalonia in the summer.

It was expected that he would give Los Cules a different dynamic in attack, a more direct option for when the trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were either unavailable or not performing.

What has happened since has been nothing short of disappointing with Alcacer only able to establish a place on the Barcelona bench whilst slipping out of Julen Lopetegui's squad completely.

It is easy to look back with hindsight but a goal return of just three in all competitions has to at times prompt the Spaniard to wonder whether he made the right decision in leaving his comfort zone.

On the other hand Valencia have lurched from crisis to crisis and supporters, looking for figures to blame, will have absolutely no qualms about letting Alcacer know exactly what they think of him on Sunday.

A caricature and figure of the former player eating sunflower seeds from the bench summarises the current mood surrounding Alcacer.

Valencia's more vociferous supporters have not forgiven a former favourite for what is seen as a betrayal, especially considering he isn't a regular feature at the Camp Nou and he can expect a rather loud welcome when Barcelona face Los Che.