Ronald Koeman is lucky to have Ansu Fati, Pedri and a motivated Lionel Messi at his disposal

There were two scores that stood out from Barcelona’s victory over Juventus in the middle of the week: the 2-0 that mattered the most and the possession stat of 59.3% to 40.7% that also jumped off the page of sheets. post-match UEFA information.

Ronald Koeman’s team had finished the game with almost 20 percent more ball than Juventus and that seemed like a throwback to their usual dominance under Pep Guardiola more than a decade ago.

They had also done it in Italy, against the champions of Serie A, and they had done it with the children. So from the winter of discontent comes, not a glorious summer, but at least spring.

The Barcelona fans, in their mouths last weekend after a defeat in the Classical and still regretting the refusal of their president to retire, had been lifted, not only because of the resignation of Josep Bartomeu, but because of seeing a team built on the talent of two 17- year-olds win in Turin.

On Saturday they will celebrate Ansu Fati’s 18th birthday with a lot of optimism for the way this season is likely to play out. With Fati starring alongside Pedri, who is still 17 years old, they believe that the best young talent in football is theirs and that in Ronald Koeman they have the right man to guide the youngest team in La Liga.

It seems that Bartomeu’s last big decision was actually a well-made one – they have the right coach to make the most of their potential.

Much has been said about how Bartomeu’s departure will allow the club to hold elections in early January and have a new board installed while the transfer market remains open.

But the cold reality is that the club’s financial situation is not going to change just because a new man is in charge and the improbability of something drastic happening early next year in terms of newcomers leaves the responsibility on Koeman.

It has always been one of his strengths. It is well documented that in his brief stormy spell at Valencia he displeased players like David Abelda, Santi Canizares and Joaquín, but at the same time brought in players like Juan Mata and Ever Banega.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s early development had a lot to do with how Koeman showed great faith in him as soon as Ajax signed him from Malmo when he was 19 years old. He also relied on Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart at the time and later on Frenkie de Jong as coach of the Netherlands.

It is not a rule without exceptions, Gerard Deulofeu has little time for him after his time at Everton, but it seems that Koeman thrives when he has the opportunity to mold young players and the financial situation in Barcelona makes him an important quality in the club. manager.

Fati’s talent has been clear for some time. Instant chemistry with Lionel Messi also bodes well early on. La Liga’s joint top scorer has already fast-tracked the Spain team and currently appears to be the first choice for the club and the country.

But Pedri is a surprise. There was some skepticism about the favorable reviews he got last year on loan at Las Palmas. After all, he was the second tier and physically, at least, he made it to preseason in the summer still looking like a youth team player.

But Koeman was quick to conclude that he was not a player the club should loan. Pedri played an important role in the handful of preseason friendlies that squeezed into the schedule before the season started and was soon in the first XI.

He made a disappointing Classical debut playing right of the three line behind the center forward, but Koeman didn’t give in to pressure to put the youngster back on the bench.

The next game started, no less than at Juventus Stadium, this time playing on the left and finishing with 39 of 41 precision passes. Arguably, he was Barcelona’s best player and it seems like he’s here to stay.

With Coutinho gone for another three weeks, Pedri finds himself with a group of five players competing for four places in the first team. He played on Messi’s left midweek with Griezmann as a false nine and Ousmane Dembélé on the right wing.

Fati came in and won the penalty for the second goal and should start this weekend against Alavés, but Pedri is firmly in the mix now to stay on Koeman’s side.

Barcelona’s acting president, Carles Tusquets, is likely to announce next week the findings that have been made by reviewing the accounts of the recently deceased board.

Candidates to take over for the long-term Bartomeu will also begin to outline their plans. But it may be that for now at least no one is making too much noise about replacing Koeman.

As well as being a club legend, it may be their best chance of getting something positive out of this season when the youngsters have to carry the club forward. In Pedri and Fati, the club’s fans believe they have the tools to do so.