Real Valladolid coach makes honest admission ahead of Barcelona tie – ‘They’re going to hurt us’ | OneFootball

After an entertaining draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League, Barcelona will once again shift their focus to La Liga title.

The Catalans are set to take on Real Valladolid this weekend, in what could be a must-win game for the club before they take on Real Madrid on May 11.

Things could get tricky against a Valladolid side, who have already been relegated after securing just four wins in 33 matches this season.

What Valladolid coach said about Barcelona

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s encounter against Barcelona, Valladolid coach Alvaro Rubio was brutally honest with his assessment of the season so far and the opponent that they’re going to face.

He called his teammates to remain professional and give everything on the pitch, as we approach the final phase of the campaign.

“We have to gradually recover mentally and train well to be able to compete well. Winning, going out to compete, and trying to give the fans a victory, must be on everyone’s mind, to honour the club and the supporters,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

Alvaro Rubio knows Barcelona can hurt Real Valladolid (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Talking about Barcelona, Rubio admitted, “They are going through an exceptional moment.”

In fact, the Valladolid coach admitted that Barcelona are going to try and hurt his team, in an attempt to get all three points.

“We can’t depend on when they’re going to hurt us, because they’ll probably hurt us, and a lot,” he said, before pointing out that even top teams have struggled against the Catalans this season.

Talking about his strategy, Rubio added, “We’re going to try, with our weapons, to find that balance to compete.”

Finally, Rubio was asked whether or not he will experiment with the lineup, now that the team is officially relegated. The Valladolid coach, though, remained coy.

“There are so many variables that if I think about those on loan, those whose contracts are ending, if it’s a youth team. It would be difficult for me to choose a starting eleven,” he concluded.