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Koeman: “The day I don’t enjoy myself, I’ll go play golf”

Ronald Koeman meets with his players at Barça training. / Photo: efe | Video: Atlas

Matchday 11

The Barça coach transfers responsibility for Pedri’s relapse to the doctors and says about the incidents that it is a “social, education and values ​​problem, which has no solution.”

More than talking about the sports situation, the appearance of Ronald Koeman in the preview of the league clash on Wednesday between Rayo Vallecano and Barça was focused on the public incidents that affected him directly after the defeat in the classic. He was skeptical about possible remedies and attributed it more to a social problem than a sports problem.

«It is not an issue that they are culés but rather a social problem, of education, of values, which happens all over the world, not only here, and to which I do not think there is a solution. It seems that it happened only with me, but it was with many players, with their families. It may be that in my case it was more exaggerated, but even Carles Puyol had to suffer. The club knows that this cannot be repeated and has to find another formula. You don’t have to pay more attention to it, ”reflected the Dutch coach.

In return with the controversial issue, Koeman even tried to joke: “I have the images because there were two people in the back filming for a documentary and my wife next to it. There was one from Arsenal in front, there was a moment when I said I was going to go out with the car, but in the end I decided no (laughs). There are many cameras, many telephones, a lot of Tik-tok for his followers … it is a social problem that we have and it is better to put energy in other things, “he emphasized.

Is enjoying? Has he considered leaving? Koeman was asked. “There are things as a coach that you don’t like, but I love being with the players, preparing for the games, analyzing and having to decide. The other day I loved the game, not the result because it was a classic, but the atmosphere on the field in a match that was decided by details. We made merits for another result, we need a little luck. I want to enjoy, if it is eight years, eight years, if it is a year, one, and if it is three months, three months. If there comes a day that I don’t enjoy myself, I will go and dedicate myself to playing golf five days a week. I understand that it is a delicate situation, but there is a future in this club, “he replied.

The Dutchman does not know if another coach would bear the pressure he has to endure: «I don’t know, it’s important to know the house, be a former player from here and have character if the wind comes against. I am like that and I want to see how far I go ». As a coach, he insisted that having a good or bad time “depends on whether the results are good or bad and on the team you are on. Ancelotti encouraged me, he knows the situation perfectly because he has been in great teams ».

Concern about injuries

Injuries ?: «In general we are all concerned about the injuries we have had. Apparently, the press has come out that he was pissed off and that there was a meeting. We are concerned about how the players can come back. With Pedri, Dembélé or Araujo we don’t set a date, there are always things. We talk to the doctors every day. You don’t have to get mad because you already know what there is ».

Special mention for Pedri, who reappeared in Lisbon against Benfica and suffered. He considers that it was the responsibility more of the doctors and recuperators than the coaching staff and the footballer. “We spoke with the doctors and the physios. I can’t decide if I don’t have the doctor’s ok. You can risk in a final … In a veteran player, you listen to his opinion; A young man wants to play yes or yes, but it is the doctor who has to decide.

How is Ansu Fati? I have put him on the list but until tomorrow morning we will not decide if he will travel with us.

He remarked that Kun Agüero is not yet to complete a game but to be a starter. “He has been training for two weeks, he is not yet for 90 minutes, but he is ready to play at the beginning or entering the second half.”

Another disturbing issue at Barça is the situation of Ousmane Dembélé, who is still injured and without renewal. Koeman was asked if he is capable of not fielding him if he does not extend his contract. The most important thing is that Osumane stays with us. Another thing is if he does not want to renew. Then we will have to see what is the best way to face this situation, but we have not yet talked about that strategy if it does not renew.

Regarding the poor performance of Memphis Depay, he assured that he knows him well and is a “self-critical player who knows perfectly that in recent games he has not been able to be decisive and that he has to improve.”

Koeman also referred to Demir and Riqui Puig, two homegrown players with very little prominence. «Demir is a young player, who had minutes at the beginning. Is not easy. Regarding Riqui Puig, he has a lot of competition in the center of the field and we opted for the best for the team ».

Rayo plays and Barça must win their first league game away from the Camp Nou: «There is always a need to win, and more so after the defeat the other day. The team is capable of reacting well, ”Koeman said. Compliments to a rival who has won everything in Vallecas. “It is a team that came up at the last minute, but they are having a great season. I remember the Cup match and it was a difficult match. If we follow the line of the last three games, there are chances of winning, “he said.

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