Barcelona Coach Koeman Speaks On Squad Strength, Champions League, Plus New System And Players

FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has spoken on the strength of his team, its chances in the Champions League, and how his young players and new signings are integrating in an interview with Barça TV during the international break.

“I’m happy with the squad we have,” the Dutchman began. “We have tried to improve. With some things we’ve done that, and others we haven’t, but that’s also partly due to the club’s financial situation. We have to accept it and work hard,” he insisted.

“In general, I’ve seen the team [performing] very well, especially against Villarreal and Celta [Vigo]. But if we look at the Sevilla game [ a 1-1 draw], we can improve when pressing the opposition. There are a few details that can be corrected.”

Expanding further on this later on, Koeman said that “defense always starts with the forwards”. “If they put on good pressure, the defenders don’t have to face many problems.”

“In training, we ask for maximum concentration and intensity to [be] automatically [reflected] in the game. That’s why the training sessions are more intense because you train how you play,” said Koeman, regarding work by himself and Albert Roca that has impressed Lionel Messi.

“With this squad and with these types of players, playing 4-2-3-1 is the best system. Seeing the quality that there is, this system is perfect for this team,” it was said of the shift from 4-3-3, before Koeman addressed Barça’s action-packed calendar heading towards 2021.

“The national team matches this October will give us time to analyze our rivals and prepare for the games to come: Getafe, then the Champions League, [Real] Madrid … We’ll have a very tight schedule until the next break in November,” set out Koeman on this topic.

“The season is very long and we cannot say that it will be a decisive month. Because there are many games and you can lose any [of them]. We have to concentrate day by day and match by match; it’s the best way to win things,” Koeman insisted.

“The goal is to win every game and it won’t be easy. Getafe come first. [They are] a complicated team, [and] it will not be an easy game. We have to prepare for a difficult match.”

Specifically regarding UEFA’s flagship club tournament, which sees Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo pitted against one another for qualification to the knockouts, Koeman said, “It is a very important championship. Theoretically, we are the best in the group, but we have to prove it. We start at home against Ferencvaros, it is an important game where we have to prepare and analyze the opposition.”

“Juventus show every year that they have a strong team, with experienced people and a great player like Cristiano. We have Pjanic who can give us a little more information about his former team,” said Koeman, prior to highlighting at one point that the Bosnia international “has a lot of quality” and will improve his fitness “little by little” after suffering a bout of coronavirus.

Lastly, on the budding youngsters that have progressed to the senior squad, Koeman explained that Pedri and Francisco Trincao “have been working from day one” and putting in a “good performance”.

“Pedri is only 17-years-old and I love how he is working, training, and playing. Trincao is also quickly adapting to our ideas. Furthermore, he is a very young player with a great future ahead of him,” Koeman explained further.

Confirming that Riqui Puig “will have opportunities to play”, Koeman was impressed by new signing Sergino Dest’s 20 minute cameo against Sevilla.

Of the greatest shining talent of them all, however, Koeman conceded that Ansu Fati has been operating at the “maximum” level.

“We are talking about a player who is only 17-years-old. And if he has played three games in a row at that age at a high level of soccer, it means that he is very good.”

“He is also a boy who wants to learn: he trains to learn and improve, and we are here to help him,” it was concluded of the Guinea-born sensation.

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