After a disappointing draw against Cadiz, FC Barcelona will look to bounce back as they face Levante at the Camp Nou on Sunday. Ronald Koeman spoke to the press prior to the game, where he talked about Fati’s return, his future, Laporta’s statements and much more.
Here’s what Ronald Koeman had to say:
On the return of Ansu Fati
“It is very important. First for the player, we follow a plan to fully recover Ansu. He will have to follow a process to have minutes. He is called up and he will play a maximum of 15 minutes. The most important thing is to get the player back well, not to rush things.”
On the statement
“Since that day nothing has happened. We were talking on the plane on the issues of the Cádiz match and there is nothing else.”
On rumors about his future
“I can’t say much about this because I haven’t been involved in reading the press for a long time. I know the rumors out there, but all we have to do is win games. There are rumors, names… it’s your job. I’m not going to waste energy on things I can’t control.”
On his absence against Levante
“I would like to be there, especially in difficult moments. We need three points and it would give us peace of mind. I don’t want to complain about this issue. It has to be accepted and not repeated. It is complicated because there are things in the game where you do not agree. I have to learn from this, be more calm. I am also human and there are situations that are difficult to accept. Better to not go in, because I cannot change this.”
On the calendar
“Of course I agree with him (Piqué). It seems perfect that the players complain about this. We had just 48 hours for the game against Cádiz. Players have to defend themselves.”
On Laporta’s statements
“The president is the most important man in the club, he can speak and give his opinion. I have to be involved in work and win games, anything else does not interest me.”
On Gavi
“We have already said that there are very good young players, with a great future. Gavi is going to play tomorrow, we only have 17 outfield players available and there are certain (central) positions in which we have plenty of players. Gavi is a young player who has shown his quality in a very short time to have a place in this team.”
On “it is what it is”
“Every player and coach wants to win games and titles. There is no difference on this issue, I have spoken with the players.”
On the lack of goals
“There are players who are effective in their game. Memphis feels responsible for not scoring to win the game, but he has to play as he has been playing. Against Cádiz we created 4-5 very clear chances. We need players who score more goals. It is difficult for us to create against teams and we lack effectiveness in one-on-one situations and speed. We have lost players who had effectiveness.”
On Ansu Fati
“There is a long way to go for the player to be as he was. Ansu cannot recover in two games or two weeks, we have to be attentive and help the player. The most important thing is the player. It depends on his condition and with the medical staff we have to work in this direction. He is going to give us a lot of quality, but little by little.”
On the losses and the difficulties of the team
“It is very important, because we are talking about players who can play on the wing, with one-on-one quality and speed. We try to play our game, but if we lack effectiveness it costs us. It is complicated and we are looking for the best, but since the beginning of the season we have done many things. I have accepted player departures for the good of the club.”
