MADRID, 23 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The FC Barcelona coach, Ronald Koeman, has assured that this Sunday’s Clásico against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou (4.15pm) can serve to show that they are “on the right track”, and has stated that they will face it “without fear “and” with a lot of desire from the beginning “, and although he knows that the result will be” important “he does not consider it to be” an exam “.
“It is a Classic, but there is a lot of season ahead after the game. Bayern’s was totally different. We can show that we are on a good path, the result is very important. We must play without fear and show that we can win, with great enthusiasm from the beginning of the match, “he declared at a press conference.
In spite of everything, he believes that the meeting is not “decisive” for the future of the championship. “The two teams play a lot. If we win we can get ahead. Many things can happen, it is not decisive, it only indicates the moment of the two teams,” he said. “We have won two games, with good feelings, but we have a great game ahead. We are very excited to play and show it to our public, hopefully the field is full and there is a great atmosphere,” he added.
On the condition of favorite of the white team, the Dutch coach considers that in a Classical “there are never favorites”. “We have no distrust, we know we can do it and we have to prove it. We play at home, we have people by our side … I don’t have that fear. They are great games to play and to show that we have a good team,” he said. . “We know that in a result of the Classic, people pay attention to a lot, and this changes very quickly, from being very good to being very bad. You have to accept it,” he continued.
“I can’t have more pressure. Being the coach of Barça I have to have it. I know what it is to play a Classical, as a player I have won and lost Classics, it is very important. You have to see the positive side of a Classical, it is the first as a coach with an audience, “he continued.
He also stated that “there are differences” between the two teams, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side “surely more experienced.” “But we have experience with several players. We are more or less the same. There are always details in which they can be better than us and others in which we can be better. I do not see a clear favorite for tomorrow’s game,” he said .
As for the state of Jordi Alba, he acknowledged that he had “some annoyances” but that he is “ready to play”, and refused to speak of an Ansu Fati-Vinícius duel. “I don’t think it will be a duel between them, they are two young players who still have to show a lot. Ansu must be left a bit calm so that he can recover well from his injury. Ansu is not alone; he is a player who can score. differences, but he can improve as a player, “he said.
In addition, he confessed that he hopes the squad knows how to better close the matches. “In a match like Wednesday’s you have to score the goal of tranquility,” he said in reference to the victory against Dynamo Kiev. “It’s important to win, especially for ourselves. We work hard every day to win games. I don’t feel like it’s an exam tomorrow, even if it’s important. We had an important week with three home games, and it may be important for the games that we have. “, he assured.
In another vein, Koeman reiterated that he feels the support of President Joan Laporta, who this same Saturday assured that the Dutch coach will continue whatever happens this Sunday. “I do not need the ‘president’ to say every day and every week that Koeman continues, we have made things clear. I feel supported by the president and the club, but I also know that this depends on the results,” he concluded.