After playing 8 games away from home, the Catalans host Athletic Club on Sunday, hoping to seek revenge for the Spanish Super Cup loss. In the pre-match conference, Ronald Koeman spoke about the opponent and the current transfer situation.
THE MATCH AGAINST ATHLETIC
“In the two previous matches against them, we had a lot of chances to win. We know that they are a physically strong team, and can create danger from set pieces. We have to be very focused. In both games we have had opportunities. We have to continue as we have done before. We have improved our game with the ball. “
SIGNINGS AND DEPARTURES
“It is always important to have someone in the club working to improve the squad. If it can’t be now then it’s in the summer. It doesn’t bother me and the players can’t be upset about this issue. We talk a lot with the players and they cannot be upset because they have participated a lot, and this happens in all the clubs “.
THE LEAKED LIST
“My job is to prepare the team for the games that lie ahead. Ramón Planes’s job is to try to improve our squad and if things come out, he explains. I don’t read much press, and I’m not sure what happened. My job is to think about the game and it seems that there is a lot of talk about other things but I am only interested in the game, the rest does not interest me. “
UMTITI AND MINGUEZA
“A Barça player always has to be prepared for anything. Umtiti has been out for some time due to an injury. He has recovered well and we are counting on him. Mingueza has played many games and we have let him go up to the first team and he has played as a center back and as a right back. We’ll see what might happen in the future. Nobody knows.”
THE LEVEL OF BARÇA
“We know our situation in the league with a fairly large distance of points. It is complicated but until the day that is possible we will try to win our games, there is no other remedy. As for the Champions League, there are more teams. There is no clear favourite in this competition. We will have two games against Paris and we will try to pass. Our job is to analyse the games and see how we can win. The ambition must be to win titles but you have to be realistic. “
THE SCHEDULES
“It would have been better to play at home in the cup. I already know that Barcelona is the most important team in many competitions and they are looking for a schedule where everyone can watch the games. No need to complain more because there is no change in that sense. We have to accept it and try to win every game.”
ERIC GARCÍA AND IF THERE WAS A DISCUSSION WITH GUARDIOLA
“I have spoken with Pep to congratulate him on his birthday but we have not talked about Eric García because it is not my job. We know that he will surely come next season and if it is not possible for this January we will accept it and move on. “
SERGI ROBERTO
“I have seen the player with great enthusiasm to try to be for tomorrow’s match, he has a chance to make the squad list.”
TODIBO
“Todibo is a Barça player but I’m not going to count on him.”
ON DEFENSE AGAINST ATHLETIC
“It is important because one of Athletic’s qualities is to create a threat in free kicks, corners and we know that they have many people who do very well in the attack and have to defend well. The referee is very important in case it is a foul or not because the other day there were plays that were not fouls. It is important for us not to make unnecessary fouls so that they can’t take advantage of their quality from set pieces.”
IF ATHLETIC COULD SURPRISE BARCELONA WITH SOMETHING NEW
“Marcelino cannot surprise me the same as I cannot surprise him. We have played two games against them and it will be a difficult game. They have their system and we have ours and there will be no surprises.”
