Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has confirmed to the club’s media that new signing Miralem Pjanić will be ‘getting few minutes’ in the match against Elche.
The fixture, being the final of the Joan Gamper Trophy, will be played at the Camp Nou on Saturday. “I hope everything goes well. For me it is a special challenge to be able to be at the Camp Nou for a game that will be the last one before starting our La Liga campaign and to look forward,” the Dutchman explained.
Koeman valued the fact that the last friendly match of the team will be against an opponent who also plays in the first division. “The duel is going to be a test in terms of physicality, play and quality. Little by little we have to be better and better to face the league,” he added.
The pandemic has affected the mentality of the players as well, with them having to adjust to play in stadiums with no fans. “Football must be played with the public, with our fans [in the stands]. Fans give meaning to the sport. It is unfortunate, but we must learn to adapt to this situation,” he acknowledged.
Koeman was asked whether he will include the recently signed Bosnian midfielder, Miralem Pjanić. “Pjanić will be in the list tomorrow and although he will not be there to play from start but he surely will get few minutes”, he confirmed.
The Blaugrana coach also stated that they have been working well this week on the tactics and some improvements have already been seen. “Good things were already seen in the friendly against Girona and I hope that tomorrow [Saturday] we can see more and we want to play the most complete game we have played so far”, he added.
