Catalonia protests won’t ruffle Barca players

BARCELONA coach Ernesto Valverde said his players would not be affected if home fans choose to protest during tonight’s Champions League game against Olympiacos.

Valverde’s side will take a big step towards qualifying for the knock-out stages with a third straight Group D win, while the game will be Barca’s first at the Nou Camp since the vote for i ndependence i n Catalonia sparked violent scenes in the region.

Barca’s last home game against Las Palmas on October 1 was played behind closed doors after the club’s request to postpone it was rejected amid widespread political unrest.

“People come here to watch the game, to have fun,” Valverde said.

“Hopefully (Wednesday) will be just the same. But if people do want to express themselves in any way, that won’t affect us.”

Barca’s nine-game winning start to the season in all competitions was halted by a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid on Saturday but they are overwhelming favourites against Olympiacos after previous Group D victories against Juventus and Sporting Lisbon.

Valverde has one eye on this weekend’s LaLiga game against Malaga and could make changes.

“It’s an important game for us but the Malaga one is too. So we’ll use the players that are essential to win it,” he said.

“I agree that the players were very tired after the Atletico game because they’d just got back from a very intensive international break but we have had four days to recover.”

Valverde will be looking forward to an emotional reunion with the Greek champions having had two highly successful spells in charge of the club and is revered by their fans.

Ian Murray