Before facing Valladolid, the FC Barcelona manager, Ronald Koeman sat down with the press and answered questions related to the last few games, results, players performance and much more.
This Monday, December 21st, Koeman met with the press before preparing the last training session ahead of the match in which FC Barcelona will face Real Valladolid and try to regain momentum in the Liga.
On the importance of winning against Valladolid:
“We have to play a more regular game, being better with the ball and improving things without the ball. We must have maximum concentration during the game.”
On the course the team has taken:
“We are a team that has changed things, with younger people, and that causes a bit of irregularity. It’s good for the future, but at Barça you have to win titles. It is a complicated situation and we need time, but we are Barça and we want to win.”
Regarding Messi’s interview with Jordi Évole:
“I don’t need Leo to do an interview. I see his desire every day, he is with the team and his teammates. He is a winner and he may suffer from not winning every game. I don’t know what he’s going to say in the interview.”
On the possibility of signing new players in January:
“I’m talking with Ramon Planes on the subject of sports. We have to wait for who comes as president. Now it’s my turn to lead the team and prepare our games.”
Regarding Dembélé’s injury:
“He is still recovering. He did part of the training with the substitutes, but he needs more training to be called up. He could be called up against Eibar.”
On whether the referees favor Real Madrid:
“For my part, I think it’s a penalty (Sergio Ramos incident against Eibar), but it doesn’t mean more. The referee and his VAR team decided otherwise and I respect that. If they ask me, it’s a penalty.”
Regarding the system he employs:
“Viewing the players can be played on different systems. When you have three midfielders there are a lot of movements. We analyze the opponents to see how to play. There are many, many movements. Systems are not permanent.”
On Araujo:
“He is proving to be a brave boy, he knows he has to improve. Physically he is very strong and has a great future ahead of him. I hope he continues for many years with the ‘4’.”
On the importance of tomorrow’s game:
“Every game that we don’t win is a step backwards. I still think that there are many games ahead, in which a lot can happen. We have lost quite a few away games and we cannot fail. It is a pressure for the team, you have to win to close the gap.”
Regarding Lenglet:
“It is part of the rotations that we have to do for the physique of the players. It is impossible to hold this rhythm.”
This concludes Ronald Koeman’s interview.
