SM
Man City vs. Spurs: 14 hrs 20 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
BL
Copa del Rey | Round of 32
Dec 5, 2018 at 8.30pm UK
 

4-1

El Haddadi (18'), Suarez (26', 70'), Malcom (43')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Sene (54')

Lionel Messi deserved more than fifth in Ballon d'Or – Ernesto Valverde

:Headline: Lionel Messi deserved more than fifth in Ballon d'Or – Ernesto Valverde: ID:343370: from db_amp
Barcelona are set to show a number of changes for the Copa del Rey visit of Cultural Leonesa.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says it was an "absurdity" that Lionel Messi finished fifth in this year's voting for the Ballon d'Or.

Five-time winner Messi was out of the running this time around as Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric took top honours.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi is set to be among a number of star names rested on Wednesday (Mike Egerton/PA)

Asked about Messi's lowly placing ahead of Barcelona's Copa del Rey last-32 second-leg clash at home to Cultural Leonesa on Wednesday, Valverde told www.marca.com: "I will not enter into discussions about the value of a prize or not.

"We congratulate Modric for the Ballon d'Or, but Messi in fifth place is an absurdity."

Messi is set to be among a number of star names rested at the Camp Nou as Barcelona look to progress, having edged a 1-0 success in the first leg.

"It is good to point out that these games are difficult because you have things to lose," Valverde added.

"It's a meaningful match for Cultural, but they have dropped off a bit in their league.

"These are difficult games, but we hope to give our supporters a victory."

Carles Alena, meanwhile, is set to take Rafinha's place in the Barcelona squad after it was confirmed that the latter would be sidelined for six months due to injury.

And the game is Barcelona's first since the death on Monday of former Barcelona president Josep Lluis Nunes, who celebrated huge success from 1978 to 2000.

"He sent me a letter congratulating me on the titles of last year," Valverde said. "He never thought when he signed me as a player that I would end up being the future coach of Barcelona.

"We all appreciate what he has done for this club."

Leonesa have not won in the Segunda Division B since losing the first leg more than a month ago, drawing four games before defeat to Salmantino last weekend.

Cultural Leonesa will be Barcelona's opponents at Camp Nou on Wednesday (Dave Thompson/PA)

"We are responsible for what happened (on Sunday)," Leonesa manager Victor Cea told the club's official website.

"We have to modify things, we are not satisfied with what happened, we have spoken with the players. I understand that people are very upset with us, we apologise.

"We have talked a lot, and we are going to fight to change the dynamics. We cannot be at peace with the games we are playing.

"Now, it's time to compete in Copa, but the top priority is the league, where we need to give our best."

amp_article__343370 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-12-05 10:07:47:
html db last update - 2018-12-05 10:07:47 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves134181422-813
17Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
20Valencia11146817-97
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .