Barca will fight to win Sporting in preparation for Villarreal clash —Valverde

Despite having been confirmed as the group winners, Barcelona Coach Ernesto Valverde insists his side will attempt to beat Sporting CP in their last Champions League group game.

The coach believes that their important La Liga game against Villarreal on Sunday requires good preparation, and that the best way to prepare is to fight to win the Portuguese giants on Tuesday.

The draw at Juventus in matchday 5 confirmed Barca’s place at the top of group D, while Sporting still have an outside chance of qualification.

“We have a responsibility to try and win the game for our fans and to respect the tournament,” Valverde told a press conference ahead of the game.

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“In theory we are not playing for anything as we have won the group but the opposition team has a lot to play for in this game and they will be difficult, we know this.

“It is important as well for us to continue our good form and unbeaten run, it is always important to win matches and that can impact on your next games – we want to keep our run going.

“We have an important game on Sunday (at Villarreal) which we will have to prepare for but the best way to do that is to win on Tuesday.”

Barcelona have stayed unbeaten this season even in the La Liga. They are five points clear at the top of the table, and face a difficult task this Sunday at Villarreal.

 

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