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Ronald Koeman spoke to reporters on Sunday to discuss Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga game against Real Sociedad.
The Dutch coach spoke about La Real, the new president Joan Laporta, Barça’s chances of making the double and offered an update on Ansu Fati.
Here are the best parts:
Koeman on Real Sociedad
It is the third time we have played them. They are a strong team and definitely one of the best teams in this competition. They like to pressure and both were interesting games, close games, a lot to analyze, tomorrow will be difficult.
Koeman on Laporta’s endorsement
After the game in Paris, he said he had all his confidence, but we have to keep working hard because this can change overnight, especially if the results are not good. Right now they are, we must continue like this and hopefully we can work together for a long time.
Koeman on Barça making the double
I don’t like to talk about winning the double because everything can change very quickly. A while ago we weren’t getting good results and we were a bad team and now we’re not. We must continue to go game by game. It is always spoken. We are entering a difficult stage of the season. We have a Copa del Rey to win against a very difficult team but there is still a lot of work to be done to win these trophies. We have to keep our concentration.
Koeman on if the Barça can improve
There is always room for improvement but it must be said that in our last games we have been very good, winning a lot of points and we had to do it to catch up with Atlético. So we can dream of winning titles but for now we must continue working.
Koeman on whether it’s a key game
I don’t think it’s a decisive game, nor the most decisive one, but being a few points behind the league leaders it is important to win it. If we don’t, the gap will widen, so we must get all three points. But it is against a very difficult opponent and they have a very good coach. It is a first class team and it is a complicated stadium, but we must do our best with and without the ball. It will be an interesting game also tactically.
Koeman on the Erling Haaland rumors
I don’t think this is the time to talk about a player who is not from Barça. Out of respect for his club and our players, especially now with the new president, there is a lot of talk about next season and the signings, but I don’t want to get into that conversation. I want to focus on the game, the players we have now and we will see next season. We will see the areas that we can improve. Right now I don’t want to talk about it.
Koeman on whether the Copa del Rey final is a distraction for Real Sociedad
No I dont think so. After tomorrow’s game there is a break, so there is enough time to prepare for the final they have against Athletic, which I don’t think will influence Real. We expect an intense rival and we know them well.
Koeman talks about De Jong and Messi to a game of suspension
Knowing that they are one yellow card away from suspension, it is what it is (!). I am not going to speculate, hopefully they can continue and do not get the yellow card. If they do, we will find a replacement even though they are top level players and very important to us.
Koeman on plans for the future
It is the international break and there will be less training, so I will have time to speak with Laporta. I will use that time to talk with the squad, the president, the team, the signings and what is possible. The goal of getting to know each other a little better.
Koeman is Ansu Fati
Admittedly, it took a bit longer than we expected at the beginning because it had some trouble getting started and that was the reason why it took a bit longer than we expected at the beginning. Now he is working well in the gym, in a few weeks he will start training outdoors. He is a young player, he needs to come back strong and that is the most important thing.
