A month after Ronald Koeman was more outside than inside Barça -the defeat before him Benfica on September 29, the president’s patience was filled Joan Laporta and was determined to dismiss him-, the Barça coach has before him the option of redeeming himself in the Classic this afternoon in the Camp Nou -16: 15 hours-.
Despite the fact that the team still has not completed a round match, since Laporta confirmed his trust in Koeman on the eve of the duel before him Altético of Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano, the Barça It has started a change of course and hopes to continue it today. The Catalans face this duel against him Real Madrid after winning two consecutive victories: the meeting of League before him Valencia (3-1) and the first in the Champions from this season after winning at Dynamo Kiev (1-0).
With more effective
One of the arguments that Koeman always wielded Laporta so that he could judge his job was to be able to count on injured players, especially forwards. The Barça started the season without Ansu Fati, Agüero nor Dembélé and the coach had to improvise a forward with the only player who is called to be a starter: Memphis. Ni Braithwaite -that was also injured- nor Luke de Jong they are called to lead this team in the offensive zone.
Now with the return of Ansu Fati after almost a year of injury, the Barça has added a baggage of three victories –Levante, Valencia and Dynamo Kiev– and two losses –Benfica and Atlético-, although of the five encounters, Ansu has only started in one: the Valencia. Reserved before Dinamo -it came out in the second part-, Ansu, recently renovated until 2027, is called today to be a decisive footballer against the Madrid.
In addition to Ansu, who can also contribute a lot in attack is Sergio Kun Aguero. The Argentine, who was injured just before the Gamper last August, he reappeared against Valencia a week ago and had a few more minutes on Wednesday against the Dynamo Kiev. Today, he will be on the bench again, but Koeman will have in him another offensive resource of weight to intimidate the rival.
Koeman, with four injured
Ronald Koeman has recovered Ansu Fati and to Kun Agüero for him Classic –although they still lack competition rhythm-, but still
has four other injured footballers. Dembele, who has been out for four months, is close to being discharged after having already joined several trainings with the group. Araujo and Pedri, two other starting footballers for the Dutch coach, are also close to returning, but could not enter the call-up for the Classic.
On the other hand, the person who has more time to leave is Martin Braithwaite, who will not return until next January after undergoing surgery on his left knee on September 16.
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