Coman: Barcelona are not favorites to win the Champions League
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman believes his team is not among the favorites to win the Champions League title this season after the Catalan giants have a shaky start in the new season.
Before facing Hungary's Francesváros on Tuesday, at the opening of his group stage in the Champions League, Koeman played down media expectations that Barcelona might be crowned champions of this year's edition of the tournament.
"Barcelona always competes for titles, whether in the Spanish League or in Europe, but the team is not a candidate this time, although we may reach advanced roles," he said in a press conference.
Barcelona's failure in the Champions League in recent seasons, having reached the semi-finals only once since their last victory in the title in 2015, was among the main reasons that experts said were the reason why star Lionel Messi asked to leave the club.
And the Argentine striker expressed his desire to win the European title again and this season may be his last chance to achieve this with Barcelona, as his contract with the team expires next year.
"We can say that Messi's performance could be better," Koeman said of the 33-year-old captain after Barcelona lost 1-0 to Getafe in La Liga on Saturday.
"But if we follow him daily, we see that he is happy and wants to play and lead the team. I have no complaints or doubts about the efforts he is making."
Coman will miss goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jordi Alba, as well as long-term injured player Samuel Umtiti.
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