Koeman: "They are Barça players and we have to demand them"

Koeman, after the victory against Cornellà in the Cup.Joan Monfort / AP

It costs Barça horrors to chain three good games, unbraid football that was not even enough to win the Super Cup, lost to Athletic (2-3).

And it is that in the equator of the season, Koeman's team already peels off the daisy of the titles, because it will hardly say his in the Champions League as he probably will not do it in LaLiga, already 10 points from an Atlético that counts one less game .

Ronald Koeman, however, remains immune to discouragement.

“We are going to play eight games in a row away from home.

It's brutal, crazy.

And removing the result against Athletic and the draw against Real, we have won the rest and we have proven to be a mentally strong team ”, resolved the Barça coach, who is already targeting Elche (this Sunday at 4.15pm. Movistar).

He is not the most feared rival, since he has not won since October 23.

"There are no easy opponents and we have suffered a tight schedule, with three games in a row with extra time, trips ... It is normal for the team to be tired, so I will have to put an

with a spark and with a strong mentality to win," Koeman reasoned, worried about the physical wear of his own.

"Let's hope we are lucky enough not to suffer any more injuries," he agreed;

“But it seems that Sergi Roberto will be with us soon, now that he has already started training with the group.

Also Dest, that we will see if he plays against Elche from the beginning or leaves from the bench.

But the team needs freshness ”.

Also improve his aim as Koeman recognized at the end of the duel against Cornellà (Second B), annoyed at missing two penalties.

“We have taken 12 penalties and we have missed 7. It is too much, too much.

It can be improved and it can also be trained.

Also, now there is no audience and there is no pressure ... Something has to be done with this figure.

It cannot be accepted, ”he lamented.

For this reason, this Sunday he will designate two players in charge of shooting from 11 meters if that is the case.

"Then our captain is the one who makes the decision," he said.

The criticisms of Koeman, a technician without mincing words, are not rare.

“I am not going to lie.

I think what I see.

And I think the team's attitude against Cornellà was a 10. But they are Barça players and we have to demand them.

Although I criticize it with respect.

I'm not going to break anyone and I help my players in everything.

But if there is a game against Cornellà and after 90 minutes, with all due respect, seeing what we have failed and I say that the team has been good…

.

I am not saying that ”, resolved the coach, who did not miss the opportunity to claim signings and who left the possibility of leaving or staying in the hands of Junior, knowing that he will always be behind Alba.

“In some positions we need more competition.

I have already said my position: we lack people.

But it depends on the financial situation of the club.

I don't decide on that.

I accept what there is and we continue the same, go ahead ”.

And that is against Elche.