Valverde: The two games against Madrid have taught me a lot
Suarez missing for season opener
Posted Sunday, August 20, 2017 by Marca.com
Ahead of the start of the 2017/18 LaLiga campaign, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde faced the press and suggested that he's learned a lot over the course of the two Supercopa de Espana losses against Real Madrid.
Real Betis come to the Camp Nou for the season opener, a game that the hosts will be expected to win.
"I expect a Betis to try to take the initiative of the game, they play in the image of their coach," Valverde began.
"They want to get the job done and so will put us under very high pressure."
Luis Suarez is definitely missing from the squad and the coach still hasn't made up his mind as to his starting XI.
"Iniesta is not going to train today, Paulinho has to get used to the pace, it's soon for him," he continued.
"We know Luis's potential in this type of game, but we have players to fill in for him."
The match will be played in the immediate aftermath of terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils, clearly something on the minds of the club staff.
"These are extraordinary and regrettable circumstances, we are absolutely in solidarity with the victims of the two attacks in Cambrils and Barcelona," Valverde said.
"Friday was a difficult day, and these things make you realise the small problems that we find on our way.
"We are calm and we are not afraid, we all have to face this circumstance.
"The best way is to keep going but as things are in this world, we are all potential victims.
"You go to a subway station, a football stadium..."
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