Ronald Koeman appeared at a press conference this Friday in the preview of the Barça-Betis this Saturday (4:15 p.m.). These were the reflections on the game and on the reality of a team that has barely added two points in four games.
How do you classify this Saturday's game?
Any game is important, regardless of the situation we are in. Betis have played football well. We have to be fine, especially correcting the mistakes we made against Dynamo Kiev. You have to be more involved and more organized. We are prepared.
Does Messi have to reserve his efforts or the team cannot admit that he is selective?
Leo is a great player, we want to put him on the field where he hurts the opponent. It is very important in our way of playing, especially in attack. He has played as a false nine, and more inside. He is a player who always creates problems on the contrary.
What can be done to see the best Messi?
I see it well, strong. And enjoying this sport. He is a winner. Like any player, you have more difficult moments or the ball does not enter. But Messi is very involved in the subject.
Tomorrow he will meet Joaquín again. How does it feel?
I already understand that it is an interesting topic for you but I do not get wet in this sense. If he talks, fine, and if he wants to talk more is his problem. I'm not going to get into things that happened many years ago. It seems to speak well.
Are you happy with Messi's attitude?
I do not think it is necessary to repeat it. I have already answered this question several times. You can take a picture of any player while walking. I have not seen it, nor am I interested. I have seen my thoughts and they are very good. If you want to have a controversy about this perfect, but I do not agree with this.
Is tomorrow's game fundamental?
Teams like Barça have to be at the top. And if they are not up, then there is no tranquility. But I don't even know if winning a game at this club brings peace of mind. You have to be prepared for everything.
Next week is for LaLiga. Is that break going to be good for you?
We know the timetable and then what is coming. An Atlético de Madrid on Saturday. There is not much time to prepare matches. That, plus the fatigue of the internationals. I hope they return without problems.
Has the team worked badly defensively these years?
I don't know, I haven't been here. I have seen other Barça matches. We have started another system. The problem was in the center of the field. We do not control well. It is difficult to control a game and in the end the game is for the defenders.
Were you in favor of Umtiti leaving, do you think it is recoverable?
If the player is here, he works at my command. Umtiti is not training yet. He does parts of training, we've done tactical things that he hasn't been in. You have to wait a while to see if he trains with everyone. If it's okay, I'll count on him. And it will depend on the performance of the centrals. If it's okay, you will have options to play.
Did you have doubts about Neto or Ter Stegen?
We know that Marc was injured. And, taking away the goal from Alavés, where Neto was wrong, he has proven to be a great goalkeeper for this club. We have not been in a hurry to put Marc in. I always talk about goalkeepers with De la Fuente. We do not force and wait for some training sessions. For him it has been important to play a good game and with a lot of work. In one on one, he saved us. It has been fantastic. He is a great goalkeeper and I am happy with how he played.
Do you expect midfielders to shoot more?
Clear. Sometimes we look for the pass even inside the area. The actions have to be finalized, but in two months I cannot change the player. It is a job we are doing with midfielders and forwards. It is good to give assists but they have the responsibility to shoot. Because if you don't shoot, you don't score.
Will more Aleñá play?
I talked to him. Also with Riqui. I have seen him eagerly, open to give more and above all to improve as a pivot. Once again, it is always in the hands of the player.
Is it missing commitment as in its time?
I don `t believe. Players work. And if things don't work out, they get pissed off. I think the team is looking forward to it. And if not, my work is not going to work.
Why lack of definition, is it something psychological, concentration, tactical?
It can be several things. It can be something trustworthy. If you have doubts, you choose wrong. And then it depends on the quality. They are players who normally outside the area look for a pass. And that must be changed. For an opponent it is more complicated. It is taking more responsibility to decide a play.
What would you say to those who criticize Messi for not going to the pressure in the 93rd minute?
There are pictures of anyone. They have taken pictures of me when I'm sitting, or pissed off. It may be that we have to be more aware of the images than of our work. You can take any image of anyone and do damage.
What do you think of talking about Messi's decline?
Messi still has a lot of quality that shows. It is important in our offensive game. I already know that he has scored a penalty and we are used to the fact that he has always made a difference here and I think he is still very decisive.
Is there a central problem?
Can be. In that position we are quite limited for several reasons. The injuries of Araújo and Umtiti. Frenkie can play there but I think of him playing pivot.
Is this schedule for breaks a problem?
Every day we have information about each player. If a player is not one hundred percent, he will not start. Even if Leo isn't 100%, he won't start a match. The first thing is the physical state of the player. If the player is one hundred percent, it is not necessary to give him rest. If not, you must rest.