Ronald Koeman is today on the covers of the sports press in Catalonia. The Barcelona coach gave interviews to Mundo Deportivo, Sport and L 'Esportiu in which he reviews the news of the Blaugrana club. From the signings, to his 'conditional' renewal, the injuries and the returns of Ansu Fati or Coutinho to what his career at the Camp Nou is assuming and the departure of Leo Messi.
Thankful for the postponement
In the interviews with Mundo Deportivo, Sport and L’Esportiu, the Barça coach Ronald Koeman agrees to thank the Higher Sports Council for the postponement of the match against Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán stadium that was scheduled for next Saturday.
For Koeman, this postponement facilitates the preparation of the Blaugrana team for their debut in the Champions League on Tuesday at the Camp Nou against Bayern Munich, a team that in August last year crushed the Catalan team 2-8 in Lisbon in the quarterfinals from the end played to a single game because of the pandemic. “Knowing the game that we have on Tuesday against Bayern and that we had to play outside in Seville, late and return home later, having players who cannot be on Saturday, for us it is better ”, the coach told Mundo Deportivo.
The only loss for international calendar reasons that Koeman had was that of the Uruguayan center-back Ronald Araújo, but it is true that many players like Eric, Busquets or Jordi Alba would come to the game with few training sessions, in addition to the fact that the side is touched. There are other players like Piqué, Dest or Coutinho, who are in the final stretch of their recovery and who gain time for the Champions League and others like Luuk de Jong who are in the process of adaptation.
Mundo Deportivo: “I want to stay longer, but the power has to come from the coach”
Luuk de Jong and his signing: “First, it has always surprised me that Barça, even in their best moment, did not have a player like Luuk in their squad. I think he is different from other attackers we have. He is more of a reference, he is doing very well at the top and is The type of player who can change a game. He is experienced. I have been with him for two years in the national team and he showed in many games that he had the level to be with us. I, since the beginning of August, have already had contact with Luuk de Jong because since On the first day I told the club that I like having a player like him on the squad. Knowing the situation, with Agüero injured, Ansu Fati injured, Dembélé injured, Coutinho injured … there were few attackers. And for me, one Once again, he is a different player. We are going to use him and we need this player. I told the club and in the last two days of the market the issue of Griezmann was raised … It has been a possible signing in a short time because I have prepared with him in time. “
Renewal: “I don't want to say much about that. On Monday, the president did very well, he did what he has to do as president, leaving no doubts about the coach. It all depends on the results for any coach but I think there were doubts, there were things that They have come out in the press, issues of the game system, Riqui Puig, Umtiti and something else … I am always open to listen and stay here for more years, but the power has to come from the coach. And it can't be Let there be doubts because if there are doubts on the table, the coach does not have this power. I am someone mentally strong, I am the same, but I need the help, the support, from the club. “
Game systems: “It is normal for us to talk about issues, the future, the players, the system for example, and I am a supporter of 4-3-3, but there are games and moments during the season when it can be changed. The best team data Last year it was 3-5-2. And I know that here it is 4-3-3, but today football changes a lot. It depends on the players you have in your squad. Last year there were no A lot of people upstairs, we had quite a few centrals and wings that go up a lot, we also wanted to get the best performance out of Busquets. There are many things that can be put into this system. I already know that the basic system is 4-3-3, I know that. , but there are times during a season that can be changed. “
Sport: “Griezmann's departure was a bitch”
Emerson and Griezmann problems and departures: “The first day I arrived Messi wanted to leave, with the famous burofax; then the delicate financial situation of the club, also the motion of censure and the resignation of Bartomeu and the board. Many problems. It has not been easy. An example that I want to help the club has been the decision made with Emerson. I told the club that if it is important money that can be earned, it can be sold to Emerson because we have Dest, Mingueza and even Sergi Roberto. I was not intransigent in that sense . With Griezmann it was the same, but with the aggravation that the last day happened. It was a bitch. Griezmann had a great contract and if he left he was going to help improve the financial situation of the club. That is why I agreed to his departure “.
Repentance for Suarez: “Sorry, no. I came to Barça, they signed me, to change some things in the team and we thought it would be a good positive if Luis Suárez left. We thought he would go to Juventus, not Atlético, but you should never regret having taken one conscientious decision for the good of the team and the club “
Mood: “You always have to see the positive things. And then I say to myself:” Ronald, this is screwed up, but you have to turn it around and overcome the difficulties. “You have to know how to turn the page of losing the best player in the world, Leo Messi, the injured, the economic problems “
Hurt after Copa del Rey: “We must not go back to the past, but we must remember that I was pissed off and hurt because then I thought I was being disrespected. However, I appreciate the public support that Laporta gave me on Monday, because until then many people had doubts”
Something against Riqui Puig: “Not at all! No! We have spoken with Riqui many times, in training, analyzing what he should improve to have more opportunities”
Coutinho and Dembélé: “If it is recoverable? Of course! Still today I am one hundred percent convinced that he is a player with the level to succeed at Barça. I like him a lot. Dembélé? First, that he renew his contract, because it is his last year and for the club it is important that he renew. Dembélé is a very, very good player if he is physically well. When he recovers he will be a vital footballer “
Messi's departure: “It was a very strong stick. All the planning of the season was done with him in the team. Leo, also, after what happened last season with the burofax, he was super motivated, at a very high and clear level, to lose to The best in the world like this is something that hurts and affects you. We always try to create an environment and a team in which Messi feels comfortable. He saw that in this squad there are guys with a great future and he felt very comfortable with us “
L 'Esportiu: “Ehis last year at Barça has been a terrible drain on me“
Wear: “The role of coach is complicated. You are always subject to results and training a big team like Barça magnifies everything. With everything that happened, this last year at Barça has been a terrible wear and tear, equivalent to being three Years at another club. It's always difficult, but circumstances have made it harder. On the other hand, it's an exciting challenge. ”
First reaction after knowing Messi's departure: “I was very screwed up. This is the word. Like any culé. I followed the subject of negotiations, but as his admirer you always have the hope that he was going to retire here. It has been a painful outcome in every way. Tactically not Nothing changes, because Barcelona has an identifiable way of playing. Another thing is to find solutions to cover a loss as important as this. Messi has a talent that is to win games, score many goals and we will miss him. We will have to find solutions from the colective.”
Leaders: “We do not have another Messi, this is the reality. Piqué is clear that he is a leader, also young people like Ansu, Pedri or Frenkie have a great future. Memphis has also gotten off to a good start. We have to get him out together.”
Laporta: “I like having a soccer president, who likes to talk to footballers, come to training sessions. I like being able to talk to him, but it's also true that these conversations should be kept private. Sometimes a lot of things come out in the press and we have to protect ourselves a little more. But, they preferred to close this topic. The president was already clear in this regard. “
Renewal: “It will depend on the results. Things have come out in the press that shouldn't have come out, because they are internal issues. Right now no one in the world has a group of young players with such a great future and I give opportunities. I think the club should value it. also when making decisions about the future of the coach. Nico, Gavi and Demir? It will depend on them. They know they have a coach who gives minutes to young people. I want them to continue growing with us. Their mirror should be Pedri “
Athletic: “Atlético may have the most complete squad in the championship. I don't want to say it's better than ours, but they have a very clear idea of the game, many quality and versatile players, with experience. They won the League and it's for something” .
Ancelotti: “He is a coach with a lot of experience. He has been in very big clubs. He is used to winning titles and to pressure. Madrid needed a profile like that”
Objectives: “The goal is to win, but we also have to be realistic. We are at an initial moment and we cannot make assessments. We have many injuries that will give a quality bonus. Some of them have had long injuries and will need time. We have a strong team, but we have to wait “