“Against Atlético we have to get a good result, because of our way of thinking and because of the points”
The FC Barcelona coach, Ronald Koeman, has ensured that one should not be “nervous” about the future of Leo Messi, whom he does not see outside the club, and has asked the press for “respect” towards the Argentine, defending him after his statements at the airport about Griezmann’s surroundings.
“I don’t see Messi outside the club, you don’t have to be nervous about Leo’s future. In my opinion, he has to be here. But I’m not the person who has to try to make Messi stay here. He’s still a Barcelona player and nobody can know what will happen in the future, “he said at a press conference.
In addition, about Messi admitting to being “tired” of “always being the problem of everything” at the club, he asked “respect” for the Argentine, who made those statements after a long flight back and spending an hour attending the Treasury.
“I understand that Leo was pissed off. In my opinion, you have to respect people like Messi much more. After such a long trip, and the Treasury, asking him about Antoine is disrespectful. It may be due to an intention on your part to create controversy, “Koeman said.
The truth is that the question that was asked was about the statements of Griezmann’s uncle – “I was convinced that Antoine was not going to triumph in six months in Barcelona, but I did not expect it to last a year. Also, with Messi for there … I know what happens inside, it is not easy “-.
“I have not seen at any time, in training or in the dressing room that there is any problem between the two. There are enough images of them in which they work well, Messi gave him an assist … I am not in favor of creating problems. They are bullshit “Koeman reiterated.
On the other hand, on the ‘FIFA virus’ after the international break, he pointed out that except for Sergio Busquets, injured with Spain, the rest are fine. “Almost everyone has returned well, except Busquets. There is a normal fatigue, in the morning they have trained and are available for tomorrow, with only one training session but we have tried to prepare the team,” he said.
In addition, he recovers, already with the medical discharge, Philippe Coutinho. “We are happy that he has returned. He has been with the group for almost a week, training. We have to talk with the doctors to know if he can play at the start or come in for refreshment, knowing the games that we are going to have,” he commented on his possible return to the team at Wanda.
A game, against Atlético, which will not be the first match of Luis Suárez, absent due to contracting coronavirus, before his former teammates. “We also have important casualties. Any coach knows that he can lose players in national team matches or because of the COVID-19 issue,” said the Dutchman in this regard.
Yes there will be a Joao Félix who has a great future. “He is a young man with a great future ahead of him. He has improved this season compared to the previous one. He is a key player at Atlético, he has freedom at the top and if you don’t score well, he can complicate you a lot. He is a player with a great future.” he reiterated.
Without a doubt, a key game for Barça, which could be nine points below the ‘colchoneros’ in case of defeat. “It is an important game in which we have to get a good result, because of our way of thinking and because of the points,” he said.
“A league is very long and many things can happen. It is a great team that every season struggles to win titles. They are competitive, we have to be well and play well to win against them,” he added in this regard.
In addition, if they win in Madrid, it will go well to consolidate their changes. “We have changed things in the team and if you achieve a good result tomorrow, as we did against Juventus, confidence will exist even more in this team, and in the way of being and in the things that we have changed,” he argued.
In any case, he highlighted the danger of Atlético del ‘Cholo’. “We know that it is a difficult game, against a strong team in recent years. We must highlight the good work of his coach, who has done a competitive team. It is a difficult game, but we trust us,” he said.
On the other hand, he celebrated the renewal of Pep Guardiola at City. “It is important that Pep continues as a coach, he is an important reference for all coaches. I am happy for him, he is very comfortable at City and wanted to continue, and the club wanted him to continue. It is nice. I congratulated him yesterday, and he I said that if he’s happy, I’m happy, “he was sincere.
