The early morning and loose score in favor of Granada made Ronald Koeman distribute minutes among unusual players, such as Riqui Puig. A day after stating that he recommended an outing to “young players who are not playing much” – statements that were interpreted to be aimed at the Matadepera midfielder – the Dutchman wanted to expand and nuance his words. “I don’t have anything against Riqui Puig. When I talked about young players I wasn’t just for Riqui. We have other young players, like Konrad, Matheus or Junior, who aren’t having many minutes either. I’m thinking about their future but, in the end, it is a decision for each player “, said the Barça coach after yesterday’s victory.
In fact, Koeman accused the press of having “taken the name of Riqui Puig” after his statements on Friday. “I was talking about young people in general. This doesn’t do any good to Riqui or me. If I have any problems with his game, I talk to him,” said the Dutchman, although the truth is that, despite the minutes yesterday, Puig’s presence is being residual – he has only played 95 minutes – and even before the start of the course he invited him to leave on loan. In any case, the footballer’s immediate environment has recommended that he be patient and follow Barça’s discipline.
“Barça need Leo”
Aside from wanting to clarify his words about Puig, Koeman handed out praise for much of his post-match appearance. It’s still too early to fire rockets, but seeing Leo Messi at the top of the list of top scorers in the league again allows a bit of a rift between Barcelona. The Argentine, who shone with a double in Granada and even asked to rest as a precaution in the last minutes of the match (he noticed a small discomfort), has regained the effectiveness and joy he was missing at first of course. “Barça need Leo. For his game, for his influence, to create chances and, above all, for his effectiveness. We need that to be able to fight for the titles,” summed up the Barça coach.
“From day one, the understanding with Messi has been good. From the beginning he has done his best to stay fit and help the team. Like the whole team, it cost him a bit at first, but now he is showing the level he was used to, I have never doubted him, I have always seen him motivated: in matches, in training, in the locker room … That he is scoring more goals now does not mean that he is more involved, but that now the ball enters, “Ronald Koeman added after the game. The Dutchman explained that, with such a wide score in favor and seeing that several players had discomfort, such as Araujo or Dest, they also decided not to take risks with Messi, who was replaced shortly after match time.
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