Koeman, on Riqui Puig: «There are people who don’t do enough»

There’s no turning back. Riqui Puig still not convincing Ronald Koeman and the relationship between the player, the pearl of the Barça youth academy, and his coach seems more distant every day. This was reflected in the dart that the Dutchman left the young footballer at his press conference prior to the game between Barça and Valencia: «Araujo and Riqui Puig are totally different. Yes, I like people who work every day to improve and take the opportunity with both hands to improve. Today there are other things besides individual quality. There are people who do not do enough to make the coach think about changing things.

The Barça coach breathes after the important victory for Barça against Real Sociedad, which has given his team the necessary encouragement to rejoin the League. “I have always seen a good atmosphere despite the games we have lost. Of course, it is easier to have a positive or joyful atmosphere when you win or with a game like the one the other day with Real. The game without the ball was very important for the quality of the opponent. If an opponent plays with long balls there is no possibility of pressing. The opposite influences our game a lot, although we want to dominate ».

«You have to be very focused and put in a lot of energy. It depends on ourselves. We know that the Valencia They are a strong team, of the last six games they have only lost one, with Atlético de Madrid out, and they have beaten Madrid. Is important to have effectiveness but the most important thing is to create, the team is having a lot of opportunities “, analyzed the Dutch coach on the keys to the duel against Valencia, a league classic.

«For a coach it is important to have all the players available, because there are attacking players with different qualities. We need depth and we have people in the center of the field but who can also generate upwards. There is a lot of talk about systems but freedom in the game is important, lately we have more and that is difficult for our rivals. I am always in favor of filling the center of the field with people who can attack or defend but with freedom to occupy each one his position “, he valued about the tactical possibilities of his team.