Ronald Koeman spoke to reporters ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
The Barça coach explained his decision to rest Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong, spoke about Gerard Piqué’s injury and offered updates on Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Araujo.
Here are the best parts:
Koeman on Messi and De Jong
We have several players out due to injury and we decided not to take Leo or Frenkie because the situation [in the group] it is quite comfortable for us. These two players need to rest because they have played many games, so we think it is a good time to rest.
The game schedule is amazing. We play Saturday, we play late, we travel, we come back early Wednesday morning. It is impossible to keep players in shape. For example, the reason why Sergi Roberto is because of the many games he has had to play.
Everybody knows it, but we have to keep playing a lot of games. It is time for UEFA and FIFA to think about what we are doing with the players because it is crazy.
Koeman at Dynamo Kiev
Despite their absences, the game at the Camp Nou was very tough. We will need to be better to win the game; If we are not at our best, they will make our lives more difficult. Football is a business of results and in that sense we cannot be happy, but that does not mean that we do not have ambition. Tomorrow is another game and we are about to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League and we have to take advantage of that.
Koeman in Umtiti
He is a defender who has been injured for a long time. Our plan for him is to get him fit to play. He is training well almost entirely with the group. We hope that in two weeks we can count on him. But it has been a long time without playing. The last time he played was in June, so he’s been out for a good 5-6 months.
Koeman on Piqué
It’s a major injury and he will be out for a while. He has a huge personality and is a significant loss. It is sad for the team and for the club. It is difficult, but we have to accept and see how we solve this problem.
Koeman on Araujo and Mingueza
It is possible that Mingueza will play as a starter. [Araujo] he’s training on his own right now. We don’t want to take risks. We want to give you time to come back.
Koeman on Matheus Fernandes
When everyone is in good physical shape, there is a lot of competition in this lineup, especially in the midfield. He is there because there are injuries, people are out, but he is training well.
