Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Ernesto Valverde hopes fans get behind Barca instead of booing Antoine Griezmann
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde says he hopes the club's fans get behind their team against Atletico Madrid tonight instead of booing Antoine Griezmann.
The France forward features at Camp Nou for the first time since turning down the Catalan club in the summer, announcing his decision in a documentary aired at the start of the World Cup.
Griezmann ended speculation over his future in a short film entitled "The Decision", but is reportedly unhappy again following another tough season at Atletico.
President Enrique Cerezo said last week that the player was "1000% not joining Barcelona" this summer, but the rumours persist and Spanish show Jugones claimed on Friday that the 28-year-old would say yes to a new offer from the Blaugrana.
However, many Barca fans were unhappy at the way he announced his decision last summer and the World Cup winner looks set to be booed at Camp Nou tonight.
"What I want is for the fans to be focused on us," Valverde said when asked about that possibility in his pre-match press conference on Friday. "I don't like it when I go to another stadium and one of my players is whistled.
"I want the fans to be with us, not for them to be against anybody. Players make decisions on their future and each one is free to decide. We have to be careful with him and that's all."
Barca legend Carles Rexach said this week that he would not sign Griezmann, but Valverde would not reveal whether he wanted to bring in the French forward or not this summer.
"I wouldn't like to talk about players on another team," he said. "Everyone can opine what they like, but I'm in favour of respect."
Another French international, Ousmane Dembele, is back in training with Barca, although Valverde said he would not play a part against Atletico.
"He won't be involved and we don't know if he will be on Wednesday (against Manchester United in the Champions League). We don't believe in taking those kind of risks. He'll come back little by little."
Valverde also defended another French international, Samuel Umtiti, after the defender endured a difficult night in Tuesday's 4-4 draw away to Villarreal.
"Samu was out for a long time with a long-term injury," he said. "Now he has to adapt, but for people to put all the blame on one player is nothing new. It wasn't a great match on our part and our defenders suffered."
Barca lead Atletico by eight points with eight rounds of La Liga remaining and can take a significant step towards the title by beating Diego Simeone's side tonight.
But Valverde said: "It's not finished yet. We have to keep going until the end."
