Koeman does not deceive: Suárez and Vidal, out of the call

Koeman, on the bench, and Messi, on the field, in Barça's friendly match against Nàstic at the Johan Cruyff.Alejandro García / EFE

Ronald Koeman did not cheat.

He assured, from the outset, that he would ignore the age on the ID of his boys, as long as they do not skimp on effort.

And, in his debut on the Barcelona bench against Nàstic in the friendly played at the Johan Cruyff (3-1), he opted for a spinal column with Piqué (33 years old), Busquets (32), Messi (33) and Griezmann (29).

Although the team lacked presence on the wings and spark when it lost the ball, its double pivot, with Aleñá and Busquets, did not surprise anyone.

In the same way that the absence of Luis Suárez and Arturo Vidal from the call was adjusted with the idea of ​​the Dutch coach to do without the Uruguayan and the Chilean.

The only Barcelona player not called up to show up at the Ciudad Deportiva to observe the debut of Koeman's team was Ansu Fati, who was out due to a contusion on his right hip.

It was no longer strange to see the Barça squad player last season at Johan Cruyff to see his teammates from Barça B when he was already in the first team dynamics.

The injured, Ter Stegen and Umtiti, were not expected;

neither to the discarded, Wague, Rafinha;

nor those who were recently discharged after overcoming covid-19, Pjanic and Todibo;

much less Luis Suárez and Arturo Vidal.

Koeman was clear with the Uruguayan and the Chilean.

After his first meeting with Messi, the next day he telephoned Suárez to let him know that he was not in his plans, the same as he did with Arturo Vidal.

But it is not easy to find a way out for No. 9, second on the Barça salary scale, with a contract until 2021. While waiting to get the Italian passport to jump to Serie A, Suárez is willing to give in in the negotiation to terminate his contract.

Juve loves him and Antonio Conte wants Vidal at Inter.

Without Luis Suárez, his faithful side in the dressing room and on the field, Messi sought new partnerships.

He appeared at the Johan Cruyff - the Catalans arrived on foot, after traveling nearly 300 meters from the Tito Vilanova field dressing room - talking with Pepe Costa (head of the player service office), warmed up with Jordi Alba and in Koeman field placed Griezmann as center forward at 4-2-3-1.

On the 10th, at times extreme right - he exchanged with Pedri, in other midfielders - began the play that ended with the first Barça goal, the work of Dembélé.

Participative, the Rosario gave Griezmann the ball to shoot the penalty, which ended in 2-0.

The Frenchman arrived at the Koeman premiere and was right after failing the last three he had thrown with France.

Barcelona slowed down, Nàstic took advantage of it.

Bonilla, unopposed, aimed from the crescent at Neto's right post.

He was right.

The first half went out and Koeman opted for new names, same system.

Coutinho, on his return as a Barça player, scored the third from a penalty.

Before, Messi had already given him Semedo's bracelet.

After his comings and goings, the Argentine was chosen by his teammates as captain, and it will be his third consecutive year in charge of the dressing room after Iniesta's goodbye.

The quartet of captains is completed by Busquets, Piqué and Sergi Roberto.

The same from last year.

However, in the dressing room Koeman commands.

If not, ask Suárez and Vidal.