• Messi: a contract made on his knees

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman explained that "the team and Messi" have responded "in the way" that he "likes" after the publication of the Argentine player's contract with Barça, in the exclusive newspaper El Mundo.

"It is something absurd that you have been with this issue for four days (to journalists), the team and Messi have responded by putting aside the things that appear in the press and concentrating on the team and the game," added the coach in this sense Dutchman at the press conference prior to the

Copa del Rey match against Granada

.

In addition, regarding the union that was seen against the Athlétic Club in the goal celebrations, Koeman considered that

"if there is an intention to harm someone, it is normal"

to try to "protect the player and that this causes the dressing room to still be more united. "

But he also admitted that the atmosphere in the team "depends a lot on the results and the victories help to make it better."

And he said that "as a squad you have to be strong in delicate moments."

"You need a president"

On the other hand, on the general situation of the club, without a president or board of directors since the resignation of

Josep Maria Bartomeu

in October, he ruled that Barcelona needs "a president" because "a club like this cannot be without" .

In the end, in this winter market, which closed on Monday, the signing of Manchester City center-back

Eric Garcia was

not made and so Barcelona did not make any incorporation.

"We have not made any signings, but looking at the big teams there are few who have spent money because because of the coronavirus the clubs have many problems," said Koeman.

Regarding this Wednesday's game against Granada, the Barcelona coach explained that for the team "neither the King's Cup nor the League is more important", although he admitted that "Atlético de Madrid is winning many games" and they should " wait for him to click "because Barcelona has" lost points against teams that cannot be lost. "

Koeman did not want to give clues regarding the line-up and simply said that "depending on the physical condition" he will put "some players or others", but he will not give "more importance to the game against Granada than to the weekend of the League (against Betis) or the other way around ".

Asked about the recovery from the long-term injuries of

Ansu Fati and Gerard Piqué

, the Barça coach declared that "there is no need to set a date for their return because the important thing is that they recover well."

The Barcelona coach also referred to the good game played by central defender Samuel Umtiti against Athletic Club, of whom he assured that "he has improved a lot in the physical aspect and is training without problems."

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Ronald Koeman

  • Pomegranate

  • Gerard Piqué

  • Atlético de Madrid

  • Ansu Fati

  • First division

  • Copa del Rey

  • sports

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