Barcelona, Luis Suarez in the photo Ansa
BARCELONA (SPAIN) – It is not an easy time for Barcelona . The bad defeat in the Spanish Super Cup that put Ernesto Valverde on the Blaugrana bench at risk was not enough, now the Catalan club will have to do without his bomber Luis Suarez for at least a month. According to reports from the Spanish press today, the Uruguayan striker will probably have to be operated on this weekend for a meniscus injury.
In case of an operation, Suarez risks risking a stop between four and six weeks that would put him at risk for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Napoli, scheduled for February 25 at San Paolo.
Xavi will not train Barcelona.
At least for now. The former Blaugrana flag (17 years in the club and more than 500 games played) has decided for the time being to postpone the proposal made to him by the management of the Catalan company (DS Eric Abidal and the CEO Oscar Grau) who met him in Doha.
According to the Spanish press, the current Al Sadd manager has preferred not to make the "big jump" for the moment, preferring to stay in Qatar to complete the season and honor the contract, also in view of the national cup final which will play next Friday against Mandzukic and Benatia's Al Duhail.
For Xavi, however, the option for next summer remains valid. The last meeting between the Blaugrana leadership and Xavi was held this morning in Doha and the 39-year-old ex-midfielder Grau and Abidal confirmed all doubts about leading his former team this season.
It remains to be seen what will become of Ernesto Valverde's future.
Tomorrow the Barcelona Board of Directors is scheduled and in that venue the 'txingurri' will know if he will be able to continue leading the team for the rest of the season (he is still leading the Liga and running for the Champions League), despite the Qatari weekend we undoubtedly weakened him, first with the mocking knockout against Atletico in the Super Cup of Spain semifinal, then with the open-air negotiations between the Catalan leadership and Xavi.
Valverde still enjoys the support of the entire dressing room (Messi and Suarez in the lead) and this should still guarantee him the bench at least until the end of the season. To find out more, however, just wait tomorrow at 11, when the training session is scheduled at Ciutat Esportiva. (HANDLE).
Source: Blitz Quotidiano