• Koeman warns Griezmann: I'm in charge (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images). Despite rumblings that a reunion with his old team in Spain could be in the cards for veteran center Marc Gasol, Barcelona head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius said the team hasn’t spoken to Gasol. Getafe forward, Jaime Mata, sent … He has also had some bad luck; he hit the post [against Getafe] and on another day that goes in. Barca, runners-up in last season’s La Liga title race, were beaten 1-0 at Getafe on Saturday, two weeks after the Blaugrana drew 1-1 at home against Sevilla before the international break. “Frenkie was not at his [usual] level against Sevilla,” Koeman stated. He hasn't played much, but what I've seen of him has made me happy.”. • Mourinho takes aim: Wenger never beat me Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium.

Instead, he was the best for Holland [in their recent internationals]. They’re a very competitive team and we'll have to be very focused and look for spaces.”, Regarding comments made by Antoine Griezmann, in that France national team coach Didier Deschamps “knows” where to put him on the pitch, Koeman said, “We all have the right to speak. Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has reminded Antoine Griezmann that the "coach is in charge" after a row broke out over the forward's best position. Messi’s contract at the Nou Camp expires next summer, though he tried to force an exit in August – only to back down due to his desire to avoid taking his club to court. Koeman arrived to put Barcelona back on track shortly after the 8-2 collapse against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, … He will have another chance to get off the mark when Barca travel to Getafe in La Liga on Saturday.

I told him I'm looking for what's best for the team and if I think his position is better on the right wing with more freedom ... in the end I [make decisions] for the good of the team. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium.

Griezmann, 29, started Barca's first three league games this season on the right of a three-man attack but returned to a central role while on international duty with France. 7 etc. After retiring in 1997, Koeman kicked off his career in 2000 with former side Vitesse. His powerful right-foot shot in the first half of extra time in a final against Sampdoria gave Barcelona its … “Each coach looks [to play] the game that can lead to victory. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images).

In the following season, under coach César Luis Menotti, Barcelona won the Copa del Rey, beating Real Madrid. FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman believes that they are not the favorites to win the Champions League this season but can still go far in the prestigious tournament. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Barca’s form sees them sitting ninth in the Spanish top flight with seven points, though they have two games in hand over league leaders Real Sociedad, who have 11 points. I spoke to Antoine yesterday and not because he was talking [in the press]. Griezmann can play wide coming inside on his left foot. “Something came out in the press about his training,” Koeman said, in reference to Dembele supposedly showing up on his days off, “But he has trained like everyone else, like Konrad [de al Fuente] and [Carles] Aleña, for example. Assuring Riqui Puig and Miralem Pjanic that they will have chances to play over the course of the season, Koeman moved on to the performances of compatriot Frenkie de Jong. • Solskjaer: United will stick with Maguire. (1:13).
Now based in Barcelona after six years in São Paulo, I have written on these topics at length through previews and analysis while having also covered match reports for. “I don’t have a single complaint. - Messi's Barca debut: A lot has happened in the 16 years since. “I have watched the matches against Ajax and there were many complaints in Holland about Getafe’s play, but I am not in favor of these criticisms,” Koeman stressed. "We had time to talk about the system but that system is not different to what he played at Ajax. He's a great goalkeeper and I hope he'll be with us soon, although we're very happy with Neto's work,” the Dream Team legend concluded. His appointment as Barcelona coach leaves Groningen as the only club he played for that he is yet to coach. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate.

FC Barcelona fell to their first defeat in La Liga under new coach Ronald Koeman as they lost 0-1 at Getafe on Saturday. He knows he wasn't right.

Every player has to get the most out of it.”, “I don't want to talk about individualities anymore,” claimed Koeman, when again grilled on Griezmann. 9, one No. Former Barca midfielder admitted his captain suffered some bad luck at the weekend as the pair’s side were beaten in La Liga, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. "It has been good for his adaption to have Dest here for these last two weeks and not with the national team," Koeman added. I'm not worried.”. “I don't have a problem with Antoine. Lastly, Koeman confirmed that goalkeeper Ter Stegen will probably not make El Clasico against Real Madrid a week on Saturday, despite returning to training on Tuesday. I can only play one No. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Fellow forward Luis Suarez did leave, however, joining La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid last month after being deemed surplus to requirements by Koeman. Messi publicly criticised the handling of Suarez’s departure, with the Argentina captain’s relationship with Koeman seeming frosty in its infancy. 10, one No. Santander match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on October 04, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

• Klopp: Everton are PL title challengers Ronald Koeman is expected to make changes to his Barcelona midfield for Tuesday’s Champions League group stage game against Hungarian champions Ferencvaros at the Camp Nou.. You may opt-out by.

United States international Sergino Dest could make his full debut for the club in that game, with left-back Jordi Alba missing through injury. “But he is happy, he is working hard and he wants to be the captain. As well as writing for Forbes Sports, I edit Yellow & Green Football: a site on Brazilian soccer that is part of the Guardian Sport Network and a partner of O Globo.
Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 9. • Pogba extends contract at Man United We're talking about his position and performance. The coach who led Barcelona to the Champions League Futsal title this month has claimed he does not see the problem with dedicating the success to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.. • Insider Notebook: Barca interest in U.S. stars Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. "He can play in three positions. - Stream FC Daily on ESPN+ "It's a possibility he will start [against Getafe]. That game is followed by El Clasico at home to rivals and La Liga champions Real Madrid in the Spanish top flight on Saturday.

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. And Koeman, appointed this summer, has admitted that his captain and talisman has not been at his best in recent weeks. "He is one of those players that gets more tired when they don't play. Eder Militao 3/10, Varane 4/10 as Real suffer shock UCL defeat to Shakhtar, Man City win UCL opener but will need to eliminate mistakes to finally reach the elusive summit, Why Dortmund vs. Schalke is the Bundesliga's biggest derby by far, Advantage Monterrey after Copa MX first leg. "I decide based on what's best for the team. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts.

Griezmann is yet to score for Barca this season and was singled out by Koeman for missing two chances in the draw against Sevilla before the international break. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. Rashford outdoes Neymar, Mbappe as Man United's Paris hero again, It's time for Chelsea to start justifying its £220m summer spending spree with results, Messi 9/10, Fati 8/10 as Barca rout Hungarian champions Ferencvaros, Look out Champions League, here comes the USMNT, Reyna, U.S. stars on Barcelona, Madrid radars, MLS Power Rankings: Toronto FC still top, Columbus Crew SC slide, Sporting KC biggest riser, Premier League clubs turn to South America for inspiration as Cavani, Pellestri, Carlos Vinicius arrive, Messi's Barca debut: A lot has happened in the 16 years since, Insider Notebook: Barca interest in U.S. stars, Solskjaer: United will stick with Maguire. “If there's anyone who's self-critical, that's De Jong. … (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images), EY & Citi On The Importance Of Resilience And Innovation, Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change. In fact, when I was the Dutch coach, in a game against France, he played on the right. BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 04: Head coach Ronald Koeman of FC Barcelona looks on during the La Liga ... [+] Santander match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on October 04, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. ", Griezmann made the 'wrong call' criticising Koeman (1:13), Koeman warns Griezmann: Coach is in charge, Partey 8/10, Aubameyang scores as Arsenal complete comeback win at Rapid Vienna, Carlos Vinicius 8/10, Bale 7/10 as Spurs cruise in their Europa League opener, Champions League's ultimate sleepers: RB Leipzig to win, Inter Milan to reach final, Sevilla to semis, Arsenal rally for Europa win on Luiz, Auba goals, Paper apologises for offensive Fati report, Portland acquires USWNT star Crystal Dunn, Porto boss slams Guardiola for touchline antics, Bale gets first Spurs start in Europa League win, Phoenix Rising coach back after anti-gay incident, Rashford reacts after MPs reject meals campaign, Liverpool's win over Ajax steadied Klopp's side after a rocky week, LIVE Transfer Talk: PSG, Juve monitoring Ramos' contract situation, Ronaldo adds shaved head to the many phases of his hair. FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has spoken on a range of topics including his row with Antoine Griezmann, an upcoming fixture with Getafe, and the possible return of Marc-Andre ter Stegen for El Clasico. The coach is in charge and the players must be at their best when they play.".

Now based in Barcelona after six years in São Paulo, I have written on these topics at length through previews and analysis while having also covered match reports for tournaments such as the Copa America. Koeman said it is unlikely the Ter Stegen will be ready for the Clasico against Real Madrid next week.

Ousmane Dembele could be sold in January, if reports are accurate, but until then Koeman finds him possessing a “lot of quality” while gradually improving his fitness. Everyone has the right to play regular once and don't forget that he is a very young player. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? 10 or a No. After scoring in Wednesday's 2-1 win against Croatia, he said he felt good while representing his country because national team boss Didier Deschamps "plays me in my best position." As well as Alba, Barcelona are also without injured goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen against Getafe. We know these things can happen. New Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has said Lionel Messi’s performances “could be better” following the side’s defeat by Getafe at the weekend.