CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Barca’s Ernesto Valverde blasted after ‘historic debacle’
Rome — Spanish media cited Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde’s conservatism as the main reason for his team’s 3-0 defeat at AS Roma on Tuesday, which led to a shock Champions League quarterfinal elimination being regarded as "a historic debacle". Barca outclassed Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final at the Olympic Stadium, but it will now be remembered as the scene of one of their biggest humiliations after they surrendered a 4-1 advantage from the first leg. Valverde was also harangued for his failure to react to Roma’s dominance after they took an early lead through Edin Dzeko, before Daniele de Rossi’s penalty and a late Kostas Manolas header sent the Italians through on away goals. "Valverde’s conservatism took its toll," said newspaper Marca, criticising the coach for not rotating his team in league games despite having the Spanish title practically wrapped up, leading to his players suffering from overexertion. "By trying to avoid losing the league when it was a...
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