Valverde: I have Barca’s backing despite Champions League exit

Ernesto Valverde insists he has the backing of the Barcelona president despite overseeing a second disastrous exit from the Champions League in as many seasons.

Barca were thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, which saw them exit the competition despite winning the first leg 3-0.

That followed last season’s capitulation at the hands of Roma in the quarter-finals, who beat Barca 3-0 in the second leg despite losing the first match 4-1 at the Nou Camp.

However, Valverde says Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu still has faith in him, explaining: “I feel strong, I’m OK and I’m looking forward to taking a step forward. I’m not going to hide behind a wall.

“I’ve spoken to the president and I have always felt supported by him and he has given me his absolute backing. When something like this happens it seems like everything is falling apart but we know what this world is like.

“Everyone thinks you should burn everything to the ground at moments like this but you have to put things back in their place.”

Barca host Getafe on Sunday in their final home game of the season, and it will be the first since the collapse at Anfield.

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Despite that loss, Valverde has urged the fans to get behind his team, saying: “The fans can demonstrate however they wish to, but whenever you have a disaster like this it’s an opportunity for everyone.