BARCELONA – Ronald Koeman fled this Sunday from an inordinate euphoria over Atlético’s draw against Getafe, calling for caution in the “game for game” thinking of winning a competition that was just under a chimera just a month ago. “We are good, with a lot of energy and improvement, but now it is important to win tomorrow in Huesca, which will not be easy.”
The Barcelona coach had a moment to improve on the figure of Messi, who, if he plays Monday’s game, will be equal to the 767 that Xavi played, with the solution that it is “an incredible number, a great milestone like. who reached Xavi “and referring to talking about the captain” everything is great: the number of matches, the goals, the hat-tricks, the titles … You can’t say much more than hopefully, I hope he keeps increasing his number at Barça. “
“Atlético,” he warned when reminded of everything his team cut him off, “is very competitive. I don’t like to talk about other teams because what we have to do is look at ourselves, but that’s not the case. didn’t fall much either. Yesterday they lacked effectiveness against Getafe, which is what happened to us other times. They had a lot of chances to win and they are still a very strong team that will have to fight to the end to win the League . “
“It’s rare to play Monday,” Koeman acknowledged, and refused to show his chest again for the draw for Simeone’s team: “Today is sunny, but tomorrow it could rain again … I mean, there is no reason to laugh others Because this starts with yourself The team has been involved for a long time and it is not because of the results of the others Everyone is very involved, connected, wants to be, including the injured person, and you can seeing atmosphere and energy on the field “.
“What is shown is that there are no easy games. Huesca is the last one, but I have seen several of their games and it is a lot of trouble; it will not be easy at all,” warned the coach, insisting that despite it. cutting distances “there. is still a lot. It shows that we have improved and that no team has easy games, you have to bet a lot to win. It does not depend on the rival, because those from below fight not to and those from above to join Europe. You have to be very focused without looking at the table and knowing that we cannot fail. “
In that sense, he hinted that he has Messi and De Jong despite the fact that both are “one penalty card away … but now is not the time to think about that. I don’t mean that tomorrow’s game is easier than that one. on Sunday, so I don’t see it that way … The first game that comes is the most important and you have to go with everything ”.
“Every team has ups and downs and the one with the fewest downs is the one most likely to win the title,” he summed up for a general view of the competition, reiterating that “we have the experience that it is not easy to track this number of results That’s why I say it’s important to go game by game because today the sun is rising but tomorrow it could rain You have to carry on with this energy and be humble always game for play without looking at others. “
“I’ve always said it’s a very long season. The points Atlético got in the first half of the season are not normal because they were very strong and very effective. Our trajectory since the last defeat in Cádiz has been very good.” and it shows that there will be a competition until the last day and it will be difficult for everyone. For us, for Atlético and also for Real, “said Koeman, who did not hide his satisfaction with his team’s performance in Paris.
The maximum a coach can ask for is of course the level we played in Paris recently and of course to be more effective. That is of course the case when we analyze this season that we have lost points because we do not have the effectiveness. that a team like him should have. Barça, we create a lot of opportunities “stressed the Barça coach, who pointed out that” even at 6-1 they didn’t tell me that the team had as many opportunities as we did. What is happening is we need more effectiveness and we are working on it ”.
Proud of the growth of his team, Koeman made it clear that this Barça “has a lot of future. There is a lot of quality, we have changed things and this is clearly visible. It is the road we started and it is not. But still ready. “In that sense he praised the rise of young people … But he took the opportunity to show his satisfaction with the veterans:” Everything also depends on the elderly because there is a lot of talk about young people, but we must emphasize the dedication and energy that Leo, Piqué, Busquets, Alba, Sergi Roberto … The team in general has a great future. With everyone ”.
Supplied in the role of a De Jong of whom he said “he will be here for many years to come”, Koeman emphasized his “improvement over last year and the responsibility he takes, which I really like. As a foreigner you have to have a To make a difference, that’s always the case. Barça got what they need from foreigners. To this day Frenkie has had a great season, you can’t ask for more. “
Pleased with the response of the German Nagelsmann, who demanded respect for Koeman as he was related to the Barça bank, the Dutchman thought his response was “very good”, although he made it clear that it is not a circumstance that worries him: “I I don’t have to answer the names of Coaches a journalist has hired. Names are not missing and you have to fill pages every day. The only certainty is that I have a contract, “he said.
And less succinct was when he referred to the possible creation of Jordi Cruyff or his relationship with Laporta. He agreed on Jordi: “I can’t say much, because these are things that the club has to decide. Of course I know Jordi well, as well as his family and he might be a good candidate, but I haven’t talked about it. issue, “acknowledging that the new president has spoken to him, for now,” just enough. “
“I have not talked much to the president yet because there are many parties and it must be official that he is appointed. We spoke something during the trip to Paris but we have to meet later. And they are not things to be exploited. but they are inside the club “Hill.