It's fashionable to not agree on political issues - Barca boss Valverde wants swift Clasico resolution
Barcelona and Real Madrid's clash had to be postponed due to political unrest and Ernesto Valverde wants a swift resolution.
Published : Oct 20, 2019 00:03 IST
Ernesto Valverde thinks "it is fashionable not to agree on anything in political matters" and is keen for a new date for Barcelona's Clasico contest with Real Madrid to be signed off as soon as possible.
The first LaLiga meeting between the fierce rivals this season was due to take place next Saturday at Camp Nou but the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed on Friday the match was postponed due to the ongoing political tensions and protests in Catalonia.
There were violent scenes in Barcelona this week after nine Catalan political leaders received long prison sentences over their roles in the region's 2017 referendum and subsequent unilateral declaration of independence.
The RFEF intervened after a rally in the city by pro-independence politicians was called for the same day as the Clasico.
Read: Sergi Roberto to undergo tests on knee injury
Barca later suggested December 18 as a potential new date and Madrid agreed with the proposal, which still requires ratification from the RFEF's Competition Committee.
Speaking after Barca's 3-0 triumph at Eibar on Saturday, Valverde said: "I hope and I trust that we play this match before the end of the first round of fixtures, or at least before the end of the season.
"It's fashionable to not agree on anything on political issues. I hope that [there is an agreement] in this. I don't think it's too difficult."
On the pitch, Barca ultimately cruised at Ipurua with Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez all on target in a win that saw the Blaugrana reach LaLiga's summit, albeit Madrid can reclaim top spot against Real Mallorca later on Saturday.
It was one of the best collaborative performances the trio have produced since Griezmann's close-season switch from Atletico Madrid and Valverde said it was a matter of time before the triumvirate gained an understanding playing with one another.
"It's a question of time and of playing matches," Valverde added.
"In the end, great players always find each other [on the pitch] and know where their team-mates will be and know where the pass will go.
"They've participated and worked very hard. This is the reward. They scored a goal each, they understood each other well.
"The new players are finding their place and trying to understand each other. It's a question of time before they understand each other better."