Koeman listens to Laporta
Laporta and Koeman spoke this Saturday before the crucial game for Barça at the Wanda Metropolitano. And it seems that the face to face has had its effect on the eleven that the Dutchman puts against Atlético. Koeman returns to the idea that hooked the fans against Levante (3-0 victory) and forget the experimental eleven of the Champions League where the team gave a regrettable image against Benfica (3-0 defeat) with the old guard and a system far from the culé style. Before Atleti, Koeman returns to 4-3-3, with its variants, and trusts again in the youth and fresh air of Araújo, Nico, Gavi… Barça plays with Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Piqué, Araújo, Dest; Busquets, Nico, Gavi, De Jong; Coutinho and Memphis. His confidence in the kids (just 17 and 18 years old) remains intact after not daring to give it continuity in Europe.
The idea of the Barcelona coach is to cover his center of the field and have possession, something that did not happen in Lisbon three days ago. His commitment to the quarry has important consequences since weight men like Jordi Alba or Sergi Roberto remain on the bench. What's more, Koeman makes Eric García and Luuk de Jong pay for the broken dishes. Surprisingly, and conditioned by the losses above, the coach returns to bet on Coutinho. Ansu Fati is waiting to be the trigger in the second half. That is the great ace up Koeman's sleeve to resist at all costs on the bench. Laporta, this morning, has confirmed him in his position whatever happens. In fact, Ronald has signed up for the subsequent press conference despite being expelled. We'll see … With Laporta you never know.