The Spanish club's mascot has channelled its inner Marcelo Bielsa ahead of a clash against the Catalans. Valencia have sent their club mascot on a light-hearted mission to spy on La Liga leaders Barcelona with confirmation Lionel Messi is as good as previously thought. Ahead of their league clash with the Catalans on Saturday, Los Che decided to send their inquisitive bat mascot behind enemy lines in a thinly-veiled attempt to gain an advantage.
The 'spying mission' comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding Leeds United coach Marcelo Bielsa , who recently admitted to questionable methods of research on every side he plays.
An English Football League investigation into the practise is ongoing after a complaint made by Derby County prior to last month's Championship game between the two sides. The league leaders could yet be punished severely for the offence which could affect their bid to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2004. Nevertheless, Valencia will need all the help they can get to take down Barcelona - who issued a tongue-in-cheek response to the flurry of messages on Twitter.
The club's official account wrote: "We don't have a bat here, but there has been a GOAT visiting today
"Umm... are you spying on us? We don't have a bat here, but there has been a GOAT visiting today