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La Liga | Gameweek 14
Nov 23, 2019 at 12pm UK
 
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1-2

En-Nesyri (12')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Suarez (53'), Vidal (79')

Valverde urges Pique focus amid Davis Cup relaunch

Valverde urges Pique focus amid Davis Cup relaunch
© Reuters
The Barcelona defender is one of the architects of the new Davis Cup format.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has warned Gerard Pique he must stay focused on football despite his other commitments this week.

Pique is heavily involved with the Davis Cup tennis event that is currently ongoing in Madrid but is still expected to play at Leganes on Saturday.

"It is true that Gerard has issues outside of football," the manager said at a pre-match press conference.

"But curiously it is said that football players do not do things outside football and then when they do... "

"If he is focused he will play, if not I will play another. I see him as being focused."

Valverde was wary of underestimating bottom-of-the-table Leganes, especially now the club are led by a new manager in Javier Aguirre.

"We are not to think that they are small enemies," he said.

"It is true that Leganes are last but last year they beat us. We must focus on the three points and regain motivation.

Ernesto Valverde
Ernesto Valverde wants his players focused on football (Peter Byrne/PA)

"I don't know what can change with the change of coach. I have the reference of the other teams that Aguirre has trained and I guess he will adapt to what he has.

"He has a high level of motivation. He will try to wake them up, push them."

Aguirre says his squad "have a debt to people" as they prepare to host the league leaders.

The Mexican manager was appointed on November 4 after a luckless run saw the team slip to the foot of the table with only one LaLiga victory to their name.

Javier Aguirre
Javier Aguirre will take Leganes into action against Barcelona (Martin Rickett/PA)

Aguirre's first fixture at the helm resulted in a 1-1 draw with fifth-placed Real Sociedad and another significant test awaits.

"The team trained very well, we'll see if we can capture it on the field because we are gaining confidence," Aguirre said at a pre-match press conference.

"I told the players to separate the final result. Let's play football, let the people who come to support us go home happy. We have a debt to people.

"How many here would give a finger to play against them tomorrow, to play against (Lionel) Messi? I don't know if a finger, but at least a nail. Millions of people will see it and if we win, people will know us.

"It helps a lot that the team come out wanting to win the game, wanting to defend their colours and their shirt against their people.

"Generally, Barcelona take your ball and you have to know how to play well without it.

"The plan is not to make unnecessary fouls. Nor let them pass, but we must be intelligent. We will try to minimize Leo's high probability of scoring goals.

"I want people to go home saying 'I liked my Leganes, I liked what I saw'."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona30214583295467
2Real Madrid30196563313263
3Atletico MadridAtletico30179449242560
4Athletic Bilbao301412446242254
5Villarreal29139751391248
6Real BetisBetis3013984137448
7Celta Vigo30127114443143
8Real Sociedad30125133032-241
9Rayo Vallecano301010103335-240
10Mallorca30117122937-840
11Getafe30109113025539
12Sevilla3099123441-736
13Osasuna3071493443-935
14GironaGirona3097143746-934
15Valencia30810123447-1334
16Espanyol2988133140-932
17AlavesAlaves3079143344-1130
18Leganes30610142947-1828
19Las PalmasLas Palmas3068163451-1726
20Real ValladolidValladolid3044221969-5016


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