Koeman’s side lost 4-1 at home to the French giants in the first leg of their latest-16 tie, so they have to climb when they next play in Paris on March 10.
Barcelona need to react
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has embraced his Champions League defeat to PSG and wants his players to react when they face Cadiz on Sunday night. Koeman’s side lost 4-1 at home to the French giants in the first leg of their latest-16 tie, so they have to climb when they next play in Paris on March 10. However, until then, Koeman is keen to ensure that his players continue their good performance in the LaLiga. “It’s indeed good to play another game after losing to show that the team can get a good result,” Koeman stated. “We must continue and we have a good record. We have aspirations, so we know what happened to us, and we need to react.”
The coach believes that Barca will go through the knockout stages
Barcelona are still in three tournaments, but its chances of listing silverware by the week seem to be fading. They lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, lost 2-0 to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, and nine points behind LaLiga leaders Atlético Madrid. “We are still in all three competitions,” stated the Dutchman. “The Champions League is complicated. In Copa, with a lot of luck and being clinical, we can come back. I believe in going through the knockout stages. In LaLiga, it depends on whether or not Atlético drops points. I’m not that negative. We are from Barcelona. Every game is the main objective.” Erling Haaland has been associated with Barcelona in recent days, despite its crippling financial condition. Still, the coach said he would wait for a new president to come before discussing his plans.
“I have my ideas about the future of Barca. I have to wait until there is a new president, sit down and talk about our future,” Koeman said. Gerard Pique returned from a knee injury to play against PSG midweek, and Koeman says he is doing well. “He is alright. We gave him a good 60 to 65 minutes to play,” the coach said. “After that, he had no problems. He has rested and can meet with Cadiz.” There was an incident that hit the headlines after PSG’s result, as there was footage of Pique and Antoine Griezmann arguing before the corner hit the box. However, Barcelona’s boss doesn’t mind. “There are a lot of emotions during the match,” explained Koeman.
“It’s good to have people who are responsive and not happy. You will not ask, please, and there are no problems with these things during the match. I like it; then you have to talk and get along, you have to try to do everything possible to win the match. I don’t like them to be quiet.”