Juan Román Riqueleme’s visit to Barcelona did not have the expected success. The Boca Juniors idol reached the culé table in 2002 with high expectations, but he met the Dutchman Louis van Gaal and did not have the continuity and expected performance.
One of the legends of the Catalan team, Hristo Stoichkov, spoke with ‘Radio Impacto de Córdoba’ and gave his reason why the Argentine star could not shine with the Blaugrana team: “Why did Riquelme not succeed in Barcelona? Because I had as a technician an imbecile like Van Gaal. It’s clear, isn’t it? This Dutchman did good things that must be recognized, but many have suffered in football due to his foolishness, ”said the former Bulgarian soccer player.
Stoichkov did not stop lashing out at the Dutch coach, adding: “Riquelme did not succeed because of the way Van Gaal put him on the field. Riquelme marked a fantastic football career, especially in Villarreal, but the first year in Barcelona he also enjoyed very much. I enjoyed his goals, passes, plays and steps, but when one comes who wants to invent a grape from an apple, it is impossible. And so it was, ”he sentenced.
The ex-player born in Bulgaria, a benchmark for the Catalan team for winning 15 titles with the institution, ended his statement, stating that he also suffered the arrival of the strategist from the Netherlands: “I suffered it. When he entered the dressing room and said there was a lot Cruyffism. And, of course, where is Johan Cruyff and where are you. There was a big difference, “he concluded.
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