Koeman: “I'm happy with the squad that we have"

After almost two months in the Barça dugout, Ronald Koeman sat down with Barça TV+ during the international break to reflect on the start of his tenure at the club. Below are some of his most notable comments:

The first steps

“Overall, the team have looked very good, above all against Villarreal and Celta Vigo. However, if we look at the game against Sevilla, we can improve our pressing. There are details that can be corrected."

“We ask for the utmost concentration and intensity in training, so that it is automatically reflected in games. That's why training has a greater intensity: Because how you train is how you play."

"Defence always starts with the forwards. If they press well, then our defenders don't have as many problems. Defending is a team thing, and that could be one of the reasons that our defence has got better."
 

4-2-3-1

“With this squad and with these types of players, in my opinion 4-2-3-1 is the best formation. Looking at the quality that we have, this formation is perfect for the team."

The schedule after the international break

“The international games will give us time to analyse our rivals and prepare for the upcoming games: Getafe, then the Champions League, Madrid… We are going to have a very packed calendar until the next break in November."
 
“The season is very long and we can't say that this will be a decisive month. There are many games, and you can lose any of them. We have to take things day-by-day and game-by-game. It's the best way to win things."

"The aim is to win every game, and it won't be easy. First we have Getafe, a tough side, and it won't be an easy game. We have to prepare for a difficult match."

The Champions League

“It's a very important competition. In theory we are the best in the group, but we have to show that. We start at home against Ferencváros, which is an important game for which we have to prepare and analyse the opposition."
 
“Juventus are showing every year that they have a strong team, with experience and a great player like Cristiano Ronaldo. We have Pjanic, who can give us a little more information about his former club."

Signings

“I am happy with the squad that we have. We have tried to improve: With some things we've done that, and others we haven't, but that's also partly due to the club's financial situation. We have to accept it and work hard."
 
“Pedri and Trincão have been working since day 1, performing well. Pedri is only 17 and I love how he is working, training and playing. Trincão is also adapting quickly to our ideas, and he is a young player with a great future ahead of him."

“Pjanić has arrived here a little later, but he will gradually get up to full fitness. He has a lot of quality."

“Dest looked very comfortable in his 20 minutes against Sevilla.”
 
“Araujo has a great future ahead of him. He is physically strong and pretty fast. He is a kid who wants to learn. He is always open to learning new things. He has things to improve, which is normal at his age."
 
“Riqui has decided to stay. If his performance is there, then he will have opportunities to play."

Ansu Fati

“His performance is of the highest level. We are talking about a player who is only 17 years old. Playing three consecutive games of top level football at that age means he is very good. He is also a kid who wants to learn; he trains to learn and improve, and we are here to help him."