Although later the result gave him, only in part, the reason, Ronald Koeman's alignment against Levante surprised a very high percentage of the Barça environment. When everyone was waiting with some expectation for a jolt after the 2-1 against Cádiz and the 0-3 against Juventus, the Dutchman did not make a single concession and took his more conservative profile. Up to seven survivors of the humiliating 2-8 in Lisbon made headlines. Namely, Ter Stegen, Lenglet, Alba, Busquets, De Jong, Griezmann and Messi. It can be worse if you scratch a little more. Probably, Sergiño Dest and Araújo played because Sergi Roberto and Piqué are injured and Braithwaite, because Suárez has already gone to Atlético. The eleventh starter, Coutinho, also belongs to Liverpool's generation of failure.
Beyond football analysis, since it is possible that Koeman did the most prudent thing to secure the score in a decisive match, what was clear is that, for the Dutchman, who had supposedly come to turn the dressing room around like a sock, the revolution can wait. It is true that circumstances are not helping you. One of the leaders of the change, Ansu, was seriously injured in the game against Betis.
There is, however, a situation that could become difficult for Koeman. Until now, and unlike with Valverde or Setién, nobody had demanded results, only courage to put the young people. That is its main endorsement. The courage and the impudence not to marry the sacred cows. However, Koeman dispensed with Pedri in the eleven against Levante. Trincao and Pedri (the only one he really seems to believe in) came out for a little while, Riqui and Aleñá didn't even appear for the game and, to top it all, he ended up playing with three centrals after Umtiti's extravagant exit to the field, with a possible penalty included.
Weeks after enjoying a lot in Kiev with a team that included Mingueza, Júnior, Aleñá or Pedri, Koeman has taken a step back for whatever reason. As a good connoisseur of football, it is possible that the reflection has made you see that after four defeats in LaLiga and a stick like Juventus, putting the youngsters with shoehorn could be a way to burn them. However, Koeman is putting his credibility at risk because, looking abroad, everyone expected change. They demanded changes. And they go to less. It will be interesting to see what the Dutchman's next steps are against Real Sociedad and Valencia. If Koeman keeps putting “the same old bastards” he will be demanding results. And they are not being the best.