Koeman has spoken in the preview of the game against Alavés, with the hangover of the defeat against Sevilla in the Cup. Barcelona face the babazorro team with their sights set on the first leg of the round of 16 against PSG.
Importance of the match against Alavés: “Tomorrow's game is more important than Tuesday's. We want to continue our good run in the League. It is important to face the game against PSG.”
Low Neymar: “I don't think Neymar is an Alavés player. The question is for Monday, not for today.”
Lack of transfers in winter: “I am not a person who after what has happened to go back to this issue. I spoke with the candidates about transfers and told them that we needed signings, but that I respected any decision by the club. It could not be. And from that day on I said that I continued with what we had. We have had bad luck with injuries, so we lack forcefulness defensively. It must be said, we lack people behind. We have not played many games with the same defense. Injuries have lowered our performance in defense ” .
Piqué file: “It is not my problem. I am not going to go in. He is quite experienced, he can say what he wants, but you have to be responsible. With anything they look for a problem for you. You have to try to respect and use good words when criticizing” .
Penalty Sevilla: “It's a penalty. The referee says it's a foul and out. It is true that there was a foul and it was inside. I don't understand how VAR doesn't go in, it was very clear. It's not that complicated for me. They can be wrong, but you have to put the face in front “.
Distraction by the PSG game: “I have no doubts that it will not happen. The result against Sevilla is there, but we played a very good game. And if it were repeated, we would not lose it. You have to have a little luck.”
Four home games and player recovery: “It's good to have games at home because you don't have to travel and rest more. And hopefully we will get people back to have a competitive squad.”
Dest, Pjanic and Araújo: “Dest, Pjanic and Braithwaite have done something and tomorrow we will decide. And with the rest we will not risk. It is not the last game of the season. The players have to recover well, without hurry.”
Bayern Sextete: “I stay with Guardiola's Barça. They played the best game of the last 25 years. Bayern's thing is great, but the way Guardiola's Barça played was superior.”
Abelard: “We played together and he was always a great professional and a great competitor. He is a very honorable person. It will be an honor to give him a hug.”
Tiredness in the squad: “Of course it worries us. We need physical freshness, but you can't do a second half like Seville's if the team is not well. But there are many players with many games because they do not have everyone available.”
Rotations: “I will not do many because there is not much to change. Tomorrow we will decide a team to win the game. And if you win you always have less mental fatigue than if you don't. You have to be fresh.”
Infiltration of Araújo: “He is injured. If he can play, we will talk to the doctor and decide. Tomorrow he will not be there and we will see Monday and Tuesday.”
Goals conceded: “We received a lot and we have to be more forceful. We lack regularity in defense. We have had many games and few people. I'm not so worried. I would be if we don't create opportunities.”
Decisive month: “The chances of winning something are very clear here. In a month or a month and a half we will see where we are and what we can aspire to. And we must also have more players available.”