By Daily Sports on January 26, 2020

Quique Setien’s honeymoon period lasted less than a fortnight as he tasted his first Barcelona defeat on Saturday in his second La Liga game in charge after a 2-0 loss to Valencia.

A Jordi Alba own goal and Maxi Gomez’s strike at Mestalla raise early doubts about Setien's appointment and give Real Madrid the chance to move three points clear at the top of the table when they visit Real Valladolid on Sunday.

Barcelona had most of the ball but their opponents had the best chances as Gomez missed a penalty and also hit the crossbar in the first half. Gabriel Paulista saw a third goal ruled out late on.

While performances under previous coach Ernesto Valverde were stodgy and familiar failings went unresolved, he left a side in first place.

Setien promised a new style but few will cheer a team that loses. Despite dominating possession, Barcelona did little with it and as Valencia grew in confidence, they ceded control too.

"There are things they have not understood or maybe we have not have explained ourselves well," Setien said afterwards. "In the first half, quite frankly, we were bad."

The question is whether Setien is trying to impose too much too soon and perhaps whether this group are even well-suited his ideas.

"The players have to adapt to the coaching staff to understand," said Sergio Busquets. "There were some good things but we have to improve."

Valencia climb to fifth and continue to improve under Albert Celades. This success came without their captain Dani Parejo and, largely, without star striker Rodrigo Moreno, who has been linked with a January move to Barcelona. (SuperSport)

•PHOTO: Valencia players 

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 26, 2020

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