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Lionel Messi has scored just once in four LaLiga games and has not provided assists, but Ronald Koeman is not worried heading into the Ferencváros game.
Ronald Koeman admits that Lionel Messi’s form “could be better” but he insists that he has no complaints about the request of the Barcelona captain.
Messi tried to leave the club during the transfer window, but was unable to design an exit after some kind of power struggle unfolded in public with president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Since then he has affirmed his commitment to the Catalans for at least the last year of his contract. but his performances have not lived up to his usual standards in 2020-21.
In four LaLiga games, Messi has only scored once, a penalty in a 4-0 win over Villarreal last month, and has no assists.
He has created just six chances, well below David Ferreiro’s league-leading numbers (22), and only five in open play, eight less than Sevilla Jesús Navas (13).
With 11 dribbles completed in 19 attempts, Messi has a success rate of 57.9, well below last season’s average of 64.3, further highlighting his relative struggle to impact Barca’s game, a problem that came to a head in their 1-0 loss. to Getafe.
Koeman: “Messi is happy, he’s focused”
However, speaking before their first match of the Champions League group stage against FerencvárosKoeman made it clear that he is happy with Messi’s efforts and believes that the player himself feels positive.
“There is always pressure to win games as a player or coach at Barcelona. We know the situation of the club; there are things off the field that we cannot influence, ”he said Monday.
“What we can do is work with the players to adapt to the new system. and we have a lot of new and young people, but we are optimistic about tomorrow’s game. I think the best way to think now is match by match.
“Perhaps Messi could improve at this time, but he is happy, he is training well, he is focused, he wants to play. and he wants to be captain of the team and is improving. I have no complaints.
“He also had bad luck with the ball that hit the post and with the final play of the game.. Normally, he puts it between the posts! I have no doubts about his form and we will see him in the next matches.
“I’m not worried because we have scored eight goals in four games and I don’t think many teams have done it.. It is normal that, against Sevilla and Getafe, it is more difficult to create chances.
“I am not disappointed with the players. I see a happy team. I can never be disappointed with a player who works hard.”
Before the humiliation of Barça by 8-2 at the hands of Bayern Munich In last season’s quarterfinals, Koeman accepts that his team is unlikely to be considered a firm favorite for this season’s trophy.
However, he is looking forward to his campaign getting off to a good start in a week ending with the first Clásico of the season at the Camp Nou.
“We know that, with what happened last time, we are not the definitive favorites, but we can go far“You always play to win games and trophies at Barça, in Spain and in Europe, but there are more favorite teams, like us.
“We want to start the Champions League with the right foot. The most important thing is to prepare for two difficult games at home that we have to win.
“It is not an easy game and we don’t think about resting people on Saturday because Saturday is not important at this time, only tomorrow is “.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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