FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman took out Angél Di María on Wednesday after the cup match won with Granada (3-5). The Paris Saint-Germain attacker had made statements about the future of Lionel Messi earlier in the day.
Di María said there is a good chance that his fellow countryman Messi, who has a lot to do with Barcelona, will be a PSG player next season. Koeman is quite disturbed by those comments.
“I think it’s disrespectful to Barcelona to talk like that. You just can’t say that, not at all in the run-up to a mutual Champions League match,” said Koeman, who will soon face PSG with Barcelona in the eighth finals of the Champions. League.
The former national coach of Orange thinks it should be quiet around Messi. “It’s almost all about Lionel. He’s just a Barcelona player and we’re facing an important showdown against Paris Saint-Germain.”
There was a lot to do this week about Messi, whose mega salary has been leaked. In Spanish media, the salary of the six-time World Footballer of the Year, who has long been linked to a departure, is seen as one of the causes of Barcelona’s financial problems.
Lionel Messi played the entire game against Granada, but did not score.
Lionel Messi played the entire game against Granada, but did not score. Photo: Pro Shots
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Koeman praises Barcelona in good shape
Koeman also went into the spectacular game with Granada, in which Barcelona forced an extension in the final minutes by coming back from a 2-0 deficit. In that extension, Frenkie de Jong signed for the important 3-4.
“We fought to the last minute, unbelievable. My team has shown a great mentality. We never gave up and therefore deserved the victory”, said the former coach of Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV and AZ.
After a difficult start to the season, Barcelona seems to be gaining steam under Koeman. The Spanish top club has won nine of the last ten matches. On Sunday, ‘Barça’ will visit Real Betis in competition.
The first confrontation with PSG in the eighth finals of the Champions League will be at Camp Nou on 16 February. The return in Paris is on March 10.
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