Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has said that he expects more from the team after they could only muster a 2-2 draw against Eibar during the final matchday of the season. The Catalan giants field a strong lineup for the game despite wrapping up the title and they could not seal the three points despite Lionel Messi starring with another brace.

 

Speaking after the game, Valverde said that every game presents with a different challenge and Eibar had the impetus against them, given they had nothing to lose. He added that his team need to be much better for the Copa del Rey final against Valencia next weekend, considering they struggled against Eibar in the second period and could have paid the price.

He said: “All the matches serve (as tests), but Saturday’s match will be different because the teams are different and because this was marked by the fact that Eibar didn’t play for anything. We tried to gauge the intensity of the game and we were good in the first half, but in the second half we couldn’t overcome the pressure and we had fewer chances and we made dangerous mistakes. We are ready for the final and the game served us well because we were put in our place.”

Barcelona have won the Copa del Rey in each of the previous four seasons and they have the opportunity to win the competition for an unprecedented fifth occasion. The triumph would also present the team with a domestic double for the second-straight campaign but they can’t expect a cake walk against Los Che.

On paper, the Blaugrana have the better personnel to overcome Marcelinho’s men but they should be wary of the threat presented from the opposition. Valencia managed to play out stalemates against Barcelona in both the domestic league games this term.