Prior to Barcelona’s Cup fixture against Sevilla, Ronald Koeman spoke to the press about Barça’s current form, injuries as well as the form of the opponent, among other things.
ON SEVILLA :
“Seeing the results lately, it is true that Sevilla have won a lot. They have a physical team and it is well organized by Lopetegui, that’s why they are up in the league table and in the Cup semifinals. They have one of the most complete squads and we have to be good with the ball to get out of their pressure. If we are at our level, we can do damage. For us, it is important to get a good result tomorrow. They have analyzed Barça well and it will be a great game.”
ON INJURIES :
“Some players are not physically well and that’s why I prefer using players who are one hundred percent. You don’t have to take risks. There are many casualties, but for any problem, there is a solution.”
ON WHETHER DE JONG WILL BE USED AS A CENTRAL DEFENDER :
“If we put Frenkie as a defender, we lack something in midfield, but we have to decide on the contrary. If we can, we will use a central defender who is used to playing there.”
ON THE COVER OF FRANCE FOOTBALL :
“I don’t know why they do it. If they want to talk about Leo and his future, let them talk. The Lyon coach likes the press a lot, for me, it is not important. What we have to do is prepare for the games against Sevilla and Alavés and on Tuesday we will play in the Champions League against PSG and we’ll see.”
ON THE TEAM’S ASPIRATIONS :
“We aspire to win everything, but with the injuries we have, it seems that we have survived many things. I want to highlight the mentality of the team. The team’s confidence has risen, we concentrate better than before. We come back when we have problems. We have to be realistic and there are people we lack, very important players for the team. I give a ten to the team for now.”
ON HIS OPINION THAT THE CAMP NOU COULD BE A VACCINATION CENTER :
“It is such an important issue in the world and if we can help, we have to help. I am in favor of helping with anything.”
ON MINGUEZA :
“He has improved a lot. He has taken the opportunity to be with us and has played many games, in different positions. He has grown with the help of his teammates. I have no doubts about putting a young man against PSG. His defense orientation is good, but he has room for improvement. He is doing things very well.”
ON WHAT HE HAS BEEN THE MOST PROUD OF SINCE HIS ARRIVAL :
“It may be that this season there has been a lot of things and you can learn a lot from this season as a coach, even though I am older. We have changed things in the team and in the club and we have made a good path. Giving opportunities to young people and making a team for the future without forgetting to win the games. After the Granada game, many Catalans told me that they celebrated the goals and had not done it for a long time. It is important that the culés vibrate with the team.”
ON THE TEAM’S SCORING ABILITY :
“It is important that we do not depend on one player. We have a team with a very good offensive quality and at the start of the season, the effectiveness was very low. Lately, we have more effectiveness and there is no team that creates more chances than us. We have creativity and quality and the best player in the world.”
ON UMTITI :
“Physically he is well and has options to play. With his history, we are always aware of his physical condition and we have to think about it. But he has shown his quality as a central defender in the games he has played.”
ON IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST LEG OF THE CUP :
“I always like to play first away and then at home. In a few days, we have three games against Sevilla and they will be exciting games.”
ON THE POSSIBLE RETURN OF ARAUJO :
“We do not rule it out, but we have to wait to see how he evolves from his injury. We have not set a date. We will start with the fittest players and then continue match by match.”
ON DEST :
“Sergiño has trained and he has continued with discomfort. We have said that we leave him out and that he has to be one hundred percent to be in the squad. If it is not on Saturday, it will be in the game against Paris.”
ON IBRAHIMOVIC :
“I’m not surprised, I worked with him at Ajax and I could see his quality. He has proven to be one of the best forwards and despite his age, he is very good. Mentally, he is a winner. It is something great that he’s been doing for many years and in different teams. He deserves everything.”
ON WHETHER MESSI IS THE BEST PLAYER IN HISTORY :
“It is always difficult because there are so many players from different times, but what Messi has done is something incredible. The number of goals and titles with Barça. I did not watch the Super Bowl but Messi is the best in the world. It is difficult to compare him with Cruyff and Pelé, but what I have seen of Messi is something special.”
