BARCELONA – Ronald Koeman could not refrain from the media noise caused in Barcelona by the arrest of Josep Maria Bartomeu, of which he said he felt distressed, nor from an election campaign that will be announced next Sunday in the new president, whom he confirmed to wait to start discussing his future, with Xavi’s name on the plan and a warning to sailors: “at the moment I haven’t spoken to Xavi or anyone … We have to wait for the new president, meet the his technical team and then talk. If then I don’t see a clear future for me we will have a problem, because I have one more year of contract “.
With this initial sentence, the coach wanted to plan Wednesday’s match against Sevilla, proclaiming his “confidence” in achieving a comeback that will have to be based, he said, “on having more effectiveness … And by keeping the goal at zero, which this time is crucial “, solving that to achieve the goal” we will have to play an even better game than Saturday. It is difficult and we know it, but nothing is impossible “.
“We have options because the team is hungry and mentalized … But we need more effectiveness than we have had lately. In the other games with Sevilla we have created more chances and leaving the goal at zero will be vital,” repeated Koeman. who did not want to refer in excess to possible schemes.
“A 3-4-3? It’s possible … But beyond the system, the team is very offensive. The data says we created a lot of chances and that’s not a matter of systems, but of mentality. There are times that we arrived with 6-7 players on top and this shows that you can play with 5 defenders far behind, but also with a very offensive mentality. It depends on the mentality of the team, of the players, “said the coach, who emphasize how the game is handled.
“The important thing is to be together, to press when you can, to have chances … The other day we also pressed a lot, so the important thing is not so much to talk about 3 defenses, 4 or 5, but for the team to work on the side, press and be confident. in all the matches we have created opportunities. the other day we were able to score more goals, in the Cup as well … If we are in this line there are possibilities “, he reaffirmed.
Maintaining caution with Ronald Araújo, “today he had discomfort and that’s why he hasn’t trained and we’ll have to wait until tomorrow,” Koeman smiled at Pedri’s miraculous recovery, resolving that “there are things that can hardly be explained. “I was very surprised yesterday because he didn’t feel any discomfort and today he trained normally. We have to wait until tomorrow but I think he will be able to be on the list.”
“It’s important if we can go back because that would be a very important morale booster. We think we can do it, but now we have to prove it,” he finally stated.
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Ronald Koeman commented on the arrest of Josep Maria Bartomeu, who took him to Barcelona.
XAVI AND THE SURROUNDINGS
“What has happened to Bartomeu shows that the club’s image is not good. We have to wait and see what happens, I can’t comment and we can only concentrate on our work,” he said when asked about the arrest. of the former president, revealing that “we can’t do anything but the club’s image is not good”.
“Yes, I’m sorry for Bartomeu, of course. I know him well, like Oscar Grau, and I’m very sorry for them because I had good important moments with them. For me he is an exceptional person,” said Koeman, agreeing. that everything that has happened since his arrival at the club was hard to imagine … Although he regrets it for nothing.
“There are things in life that you don’t know about the future. When I was called to come I was convinced to accept, knowing the complicated moment, the covid issue, with the need to make changes to the staff, give opportunities to young people … From day one I have tried to make these changes. Life is high and low, face opportunities and problems. And solve these problems, “he explained, acknowledging that there have been” many things “these months.
“A lot of things have happened this season. I know the problems there are, I have to face them and be working until the last day, be it another year, five … I don’t think about it, what concerns me is that Barça win, which is the best thing for the club and the coach “, he revealed, before referring to his relationship, which still does not exist today, with Xavi, the capital name in this election campaign.
“Xavi? I don’t care because I have a contract and when we know who the president is we will talk, let him show me his way … But this will be next week. We know that there are debates, that names are coming out … No I don’t care much now. ” he stated, making it clear that he is fully identified with the club and the team: “My motivation is the same from day one. I knew that getting here as a coach in covid times was already complicated, and more so with the things they have “If I don’t want that, I’m going on vacation, but I want to be.”
“This is my job … The new president’s job is to mark his path,” he summed up, trying to focus on the Seville party, “which is now the most important thing” despite all that surrounds a Barça that, in the end, does not cause surprise in Koeman. “It happens because it’s the biggest club in the world, everyone is looking at Barça. A lot of things are happening now and the press is trying to get information, it’s normal.” he sentenced.