Barcelona secured a 2-1 win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but it wasn’t an entirely convincing performance.
In fact, the Catalan giants have struggled to convince throughout the campaign thus far as although they moved to the top of the La Liga table last weekend and sit top of their Champions League group, question marks continue to be raised over their displays.
SEE MORE: Video: Slavia Prague defender Hovorka’s amazing reaction after tackling Messi
One one hand, it could be argued that results are simply the most important thing and perhaps they’ll click into gear as the season goes on.
However, such are the standards and expectations at the Nou Camp, the manner in which they achieve their results is equally as important as the results themselves.
In turn, many would have been left disappointed with what they saw in midweek and it appears as though Lionel Messi may have been looking for coach Ernesto Valverde to change things.
As seen in the video below, the Barcelona talisman was seen staring in his coach’s direction for around a minute after Slavia Prague bagged their equaliser, at which point it looked as though the Catalan giants were in serious danger of dropping points.
Fortunately for them, they forced an own goal not long after to retake the lead and eventually went on to secure all three points.
However, had it not been for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, it could have been a very different scoreline and outcome.
As seen in the comments below though, many Barcelona fans were reacting to the footage of Messi appearing to be staring in Valverde’s direction after the Slavia goal, and they had their say on the situation as it perhaps raises question marks over whether Messi was looking for the Barcelona boss to offer some encouragement or to tweak things tactically to give them back the advantage.
It seems as though nothing was forthcoming, and that in turn led to a critical reaction from most fans towards Valverde.
Slavia Prague get a well deserved equaliser after Messi's early goal.
Messi stares at Valverde, who hasn't changed anything despite Slavia's pressing and domination.
Valverde ignores Messi. ? pic.twitter.com/lnQK64jSXr
— mx (@LeooMessi10i) October 24, 2019
Messi sacking Valverde in his head https://t.co/vhvs7T1Xuw
— Taviux (@Taviux_) October 24, 2019
Lionel Messi stared at Valverde for almost a minute yesterday when Slavia Prague equalised. [movistar via sport]
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) October 24, 2019
Scared to look at Messi*
— Atharva (@Athsonfire) October 24, 2019
Funniest part is that Valverde knows he’s watching ?
— Holkko (@Holkkooz) October 24, 2019
Lmao Valverde was shivering by that messi look
— Messit_Özil (@Messit_Ozil) October 24, 2019
Should have stared at Luis Suarez imo
— Ultimate10 (@ClassicMessi10) October 24, 2019
Forget about coaching he cant even look messi in the eyes, so you can imagine how afraid he is of suarez and more outspoken clowns like pique. They youngsters are all victims of his cowardly nature
— CP-05 (@Ben_Beckmann090) October 24, 2019
When they asked him about valverde should have said the truth and did he stare at suarez for playing shit
— Joseph (@speciial_one) October 24, 2019
And that coward couldn’t look him in the eyes, forget talking about tactics
— Guardiosmo (@LadBlaugrana) October 24, 2019
Messi can stare at him for 90mins if he wants but what’s the point if he’s going to publicly back Valverde.
— jit 910 (@jit_316) October 24, 2019
Media can try all they want, VV is here to stay. Not a single soul inside the club is against VV and there has to be a reason for that.
— Imtiaz (@iusumith) October 24, 2019
And all Valverde do is being quiet & rubbing his nose. As expected #ValverdeOut
— ndre’ (@screwzy26) October 24, 2019
He is the reason !!
MESSI knows that they cannot get rid of him !! This look of agony— ?????????? (@LorDzZzZzZzZz) October 24, 2019
