BARCELONA – Ronald Koeman made clear his dissatisfaction with Riqui Puig, without having to name him directly but in response to his name when asked if the desire he sees during all training with Ronald Araújo is lacking in other players like that of the nursery.
“There are people on the squad who may have too much competition, but in training it’s not enough to make the coach think about changing things,” the Dutch coach revealed, in a clear allusion to the midfielder.
It was a direct warning from Koeman that he loves Riqui’s lack of predisposition during training and that he would explain his low participation since the start of the season, which is reduced to 83 minutes (always as a substitute) in 4 of the 18 matches played by the Barça team.
“Araújo and Riqui are totally different. Riqui needs more physique … And yes, I like people who work every day to improve and take opportunities with both hands. Today there are other things besides individual quality. There are those who have too much competition, but in training it is not enough “, he said, after praising the Uruguayan center without reservations.
“Araújo is a player who despite his youth is very strong physically and fast for his height. He has a strong character, he commands, he always trains to the maximum, he likes to listen, to learn … He has to improve in his first control of ball, in circulation, in vertical passes …
“But we are talking about a very young player who has a great future and wants to listen, who works hard and is open to all advice,” he said, referring to the Uruguayan center, then understanding his response in relation to Riqui as kla other side of the coin.
He wasn’t Koeman’s only dart during Saturday’s pre-match press conference against Valencia, whom he referred to as a “rival” who will put things through us hard, who has already won at Real Madrid and he has only lost one of the last six games he has played … But, as I always say, we depend on ourselves, to come out very focused and play with a lot of energy “.
Pjanic did not give up either, the prominence is still very far from what was expected, referring to the fact that the Bosnian “must prove that the coach is wrong. In the middle of the field there is a lot of competition, because he’s left-handed and we needed him because Pedri was coming out.
“He (Pjanic) and everyone have to wait for the opportunity and prove that the coach is wrong. There is a lot of competition and they can only play eleven. Some don’t play much and have to and train to show that they are very useful for the computer “.
The Dutch coach specified that his team creates “many opportunities, which is the main thing” although he acknowledged that “we need to have more effectiveness”, solving that in recent games “there is more freedom in midfield, with players who can playing in different positions and that is a complication for our rivals. “
On his past in Valencia, Koeman recalled that “we won a Cup” admitting that his adventure at Mestalla was “very difficult. You can’t work there in peace. I know that some former players are commentators, everyone is looking for life.Of course not the best memory of my career.I had to make decisions and I can be wrong like anyone.But at least we won something, the King’s Cup.it’s a tricky place, which in 15 years he has had many changes of coach and it seems that there is sometimes a lack of calm to work calmly “.
“I’ve always seen a good atmosphere in the locker room, although of course it’s easier to have an atmosphere of joy when you win games like the other day,” he said when asked if the atmosphere among the squad had improved and specifying , directly to reporters, that “you don’t see what’s going on in training, or in the locker room before or after games and talk and give your opinion. journalists have an easy job” he shot.
He also repeated his complaints about the schedule and schedules confirming that he still thinks “the same. The schedule is crazy and if we win the Super Cup semifinal in January we will have one more game … They are many games away from home and we are killing the I like to go from game to game, but we have to think about travel, we got home late … We need to talk about how to solve such a busy season. “