08/21/2020 - 17:14
- Clarín.com
- sports
Lionel Messi continues to be the axis of concerns at Barcelona. And Ronald Koeman, after the summit on Thursday, cannot avoid talking about the Argentine, who blanked him, who looks more "outside than inside" despite the fact that he has a current contract until June 2021.
The new Blaugrana technical director gave an interview to the Dutch media NOS and acknowledged that he spoke about the Flea with Pep Guardiola, his old partner in the mythical culé team led by Johan Cruyff who dominated Spain and conquered Europe in the 90s.
"I still have a lot of contact with Pep Guardiola and he says it's great to work with Messi. He's a winner and if he doesn't win he gets upset. I have to make sure it works, that he feels important . He has to finish his career here, because he is Barcelona and Barcelona is Messi, "said Koeman.
One of the last images of Messi after the Lisbon disaster. Photo: AFP
It wasn't the only thing Koeman talked about . The Dutchman also referred to Barcelona's balance sheet, which is far from ideal. Although the man does not lose faith in revitalizing much of the good material that the team has.
"There are not many options, but it is not bad when you see the type of talented players that there are. I still have to meet the young people who are arriving. There is a lot of future without having to invest in big signings," the former defender resigned.
On the other hand, Barcelona confirmed the return of the squad for August 30, through the PCR tests, and the next day the first training session will be held under the orders of the new coach.
The players, coaching and medical staff and auxiliary personnel of the first team were summoned to the Ciudad Deportiva for the PCR tests before the start of the preseason, as established in the La Liga health protocol.
The first indications of Koeman, Enrique Setién's successor, will be from Monday, August 31, from 5.30 p.m., Catalan time.
The official site of Barcelona indicated that a group of nine footballers who already started the preseason on August 12, the PCR tests will be carried out on August 30 and will be added to the rest of their teammates.
Henrik Larsson and Alfred Schreuder, Koeman's new assistants. Photo: FCB
Meanwhile, the Catalan club announced Alfred Schreuder and Henrik Larsson as Koeman's assistants who signed a contract until June 30, 2022.
Born in Barneveld, the Netherlands, Schreuder gained experience in his country and Germany with jobs in Ajax and Hoffenheim.
Larsson, a native of Sweden, is an old acquaintance of Barcelona after his only cycle in 2004-2006. He coincided with Koeman in his time as a footballer between 1995 and 1997 when they played for Feyenoord in the Netherlands.
MFV