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Ronald Koeman has faced the press ahead of Wednesday night’s big La Liga clash against Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.
The Barcelona coach offered updates on the fitnress of Ousmane Dembélé and Ansu Fati, spoke about Riqui Puig’s lack of playing time and, of course, Wednesday’s opponents.
Here are the best parts:
Koeman on Real Sociedad
They are a good team. You can tell that they have been playing together for some years. I like how they play. I am aware that we will have to play well, with confidence and possession to cause problems for them. I think it will be an open game, last year it was open. Both teams want to have the ball and press, so I expect a nice and open game.
Koeman on team spirit
I haven’t been with them for a long time but I see a good atmosphere in the dressing room and in training sessions, I don’t see a problem between them. Yesterday they had a party at the Ciutat Esportiva after training before Christmas, and the atmosphere is good, there was a lot of noise.
Koeman on Riqui Puig
There is always something of interest from the press because he is a youth squad and he doesn’t play much. But we are not talking about a single player not getting minutes, there are many. We are a strong squad and only 11 can play, based on training and attitude.
Koeman on Frenkie de Jong
He has always been a player with the responsibility of developing the game, but he has other qualities to be more offensive, since he is very fast with the ball and can break lines with the ball. We are working on that with him. We want it to be more important in the last third.
Koeman on Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane is training individually. He is not part of the group yet and I will not give a return date. Hopefully soon, because he is a player we need.
Koeman is Pjanic
We talked last week about what needs to be improved, I like his attitude, it would not be good if he was happy. Let him be unhappy and work hard for opportunities to play.
Koeman is Ansu Fati
With these types of injuries, it is difficult to know when you can return. He works every day in the club’s facilities to improve, but it depends on how he progresses. We cannot take risks, especially because of his age, there is a lot of time.
Koeman in Mingueza
Right now he is a player in the first team, he trains with us, he had some injury problems, but he is giving competition to the center-backs. He is a young player with a future in this team.
Koeman on Messi to equal Pelé’s record
They are impressive figures, we will not find another player who gives so much to this club, which is why he is number 1. Once again, everything he has done for this club is incredible.
